School Visits
All programs can be customized to the appropriate grade level. Teachers guides aligned with the Common Core are available for some of Fern's books. Many of Fern’s programs fulfill state requirements to teach the Holocaust.
Programs
Illinois Reads author Fern Schumer Chapman has a busy speaking schedule. She speaks on a variety of topics (see below) and some presentations can help your district meet the state mandate for Holocaust education. Teacher’s Guides are available for all of her books.
- NEW - The friendship of two unaccompanied child immigrants: How two friends who met aboard the ship from Nazi Germany to America in 1938 helped each other transcend the trauma of this devastating experience. (PowerPoint)
- Confronting the Past: How do countries atone for national crimes? (Based on recent book, Stumbling On History.)
- A Child’s Immigration Story: Edith’s journey from Nazi Germany to America. (PowerPoint)
- How compassionate 8th graders reunited two Holocaust refugees (PowerPoint presentation and a video clip of the actual reunion from the OWN network )
- Fall Kick-off Assembly: Developing School Character and School Culture (based upon role models in Fern’s books)
- Writers Workshop ABC7-Chicago covers FSC presentation: https://abc7chicago.com/education/holocaust-survivor-daughter-meet-des-plaines-middle-school-students/2935880/
Testimonials
“Fern’s ability to connect with students on poignant topics of identity, struggle and perseverance makes her a can’t miss opportunity for your school.”
David Lopez, Literacy Coach
Morton High Schools, Cicero, Illinois
“I placed four boxes of tissues in the room. After three presentations, they were all empty. Afterwards, students asked if Fern could come back to our school next year.”
Semadar Siegel, Teacher
Evanston Township High School, Evanston, Illinois
“I have received nothing but rave reviews from those attending your program. Everyone was captivated by the book.”
Shari Lipp-Levine, Special Projects Coordinator
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis, Indiana
"Thanks so much for coming to Texas today and sharing with our students. I had students rushing to the library to get a copy of your book after you spoke! Please tell your mother 'thank you,' for her willingness to share her story with you, and thank YOU for your dedication to passing her story along to the next generation. It is a timeless, needful tale."
Deanne Hare, Librarian
Tarkington Middle School Cleveland, TX
"Thank you for telling the two stories that frame your life — your mother's departure from Germany and the void that her experience left you. Thank you for relating the return to Germany with its multifaceted nuances. Thank you for bringing your mother's tea set and projecting us back to the past... As we move away from the period that framed the Holocaust, new carriers must tell the stories of their family and friends so that the next generation will know and learn. You are the next generation. From you, we will know and grow."
Chuck Meyers, Senior Program Associate
Facing History and Ourselves Chicago, Illinois
"People are still talking about how much they enjoyed your speech... Motherland touched my life in a deeply profound way and I thank you for finding the courage within to share your family story."
Barbara Pinny
The Haverford School (high school for boys) Haverford, Pennsylvania
"The response to your talk was rapt silence, the audience hanging on every word. I even saw several people wiping a tear as they listened to your story of dislocation, discovery and reclamation."
Judy Levin
Congregation B'nai Tikvah Deerfield, Illinois
Additional Programs
Trauma in the Family
Fern will explain to students the difficulties of having a parent who has experienced so much loss in childhood. In addition, during this program, she explores the nature of trauma and how it is transmitted in families. (This program was added after several teachers recognized that many of their students suffer from traumatic events. They asked FSC to help students understand the long reach of trauma.)
Family Stories Workshop (A Title 1 Favorite – PowerPoint presentation about the importance of family stories)
The purpose of this session is to help children learn about their parents’ histories. Fern works with families in groups as children learn how to ask questions about their parents’ early life experiences and parents share some of their stories. Great opportunity for families to bond.
Adult and Parent/Child Book Clubs
Fern’s books have been popular with adult and parent child book clubs. She gives evening presentations to these groups.
Teacher In-service
Fern shares with teachers some of the many effective exercises she uses when teaching students how to write. She also conducts discussions with educators on teaching moral choices in the classroom.
Fern can tailor a program that fits your educational objectives. For schools with a limited budget, she offers SKYPE discussions with classes.
Details
LENGTH OF PROGRAMS: Depending upon grade and type of presentation, from thirty to sixty minutes.
AUDIENCE SIZE: Fern will tailor her program to the grade and size of your audience. No limits on attendance for assemblies. Workshops work best with groups fewer than 50.
Previous Visits
Fern Schumer Chapman has spoken at the following schools: