Author's Program

Each year, the PTO celebrates National Children's Book Week with visits from two wonderful children's book authors -- one author presenting to students in grades K-2 and the other author presenting to grades 3-6.

The author visits enable the students to gain thoughtful insights into the writing process and find ways to improve their own writing skills. The children's book illustartors that have visited have shared their enthusiasm with the students about how their illustrations are based on events in their own lives. The Author's Program allows each child the opportunity to get an up-close look at the publishing process. Perhaps some Conant students will be inspired to pursue writing careers as well!

Some recent authors and illustrators that recently visited Conant include:

• Melissa Stewart, author

Melissa is the author of over 50 science and nature books for children. She visited each of the classrooms in grades 3-6, and talked about the writing of a series of books on African animals and also spoke about her series of books on Rocks and Minerals.


• Nancy Poydar, author

Nancy has both authored and illustrated a number of picture books. She explained the process of writing and publishing a book, demonstrated the illustration process, and shared a book in progress with the children.


• Andrew Clements, author

Andrew is the author of popular children's books such as Frindle and The Landry News.


• Ralph Masiello, illustrator

Ralph showed second graders how to make beetles and other bugs by merely using letters of the alphabet.


• Diane deGroat, illustrator

Diane is an illustrator and author of books such as Liar, Liar Pants on Fire, The Great Brain is Back, and Annie Pitts, Burger Kid.

Cultural Enrichment Program

The Cultural Enrichment Program is one example of how the PTO uses its resources to enrich our children's learning experience at Conant. This committee reseraches and brings cultural programs to the school to perform for the students, with 3 to 4 assemblies conducted during the school year.

Some of the past programs have included a visit from the Earth Balloon; a "Journey into Jazz" with a trio of musicians exposing the students to blues, spirituals, and songs of the Swing and Be-bop eras; and, a program which taught sign language as well as the languages of other cultures. Every assembly encourages and celebrates the student's involvement.