Working with Words (Assembly):

Exploring the Writing Process through

Music and Poetry

Working with Words is a fun and fast paced music and poetry assembly designed for the elementary school setting. With a focus on the writing process and on a variety of writing process elements, this assembly program includes strong music, poetry, and storytelling components and careful planning for group participation.

Working with Words (along with all scheduled smaller group workshops) recognizes the NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts. Specifically, the presenter understands that through writing, singing, and sharing music and poetry, students are given opportunities to experiment with language, helping in turn to build their appreciation and enthusiasm for language and creative language expression.

The following outlines a typical 45 to 50 minute assembly as designed for grades 3 through 6. Primary grade assemblies run 40 to 45 minutes with an adjusted age-appropriate skills focus. The BIG question for primary grades: Where do our good ideas come from?

I I Love My Shoes/A Pair o' Barracuda - As we launch into the assembly, these fun, high-participation songs are a springboard for talking about where ideas come from and how these ideas can often change during the writing process.

II Mulligan Martinson Marley McGraw/The Great Chili Cook-Off - We focus on word choice, character traits, and end rhymes in the sharing of these two story telling poems.

III A Cowboy's Lullaby - This audience response poem focuses on imagery and sensory details.

IV Notebooks - Eric shares pages from his writing notebooks to prove that even adults, if they want to write something they're proud of, use the writing process.

V Out of Sight - Up on your feet! This high-participation poem serves as a "jumping off" point for a discussion on the rhythm of language.

VI Two Hands - We wrap up with this rockin' hand-jive song.

VII Q and A - 5 minutes are left at the end of the assembly for a question and answer period with perhaps one more sing-along song or an interactive poem thrown in for good measure.

Get Back in the Saddle (Assembly):

Rounding Up the Writing Process with Cowboy Poetry and Music

Similar in focus to the "Working with Words" assembly (above), Get Back in the Saddle uses the songs and poems from my book Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones) as well as other fun, interactive cowboy pieces to help round up the writing process. This assembly can be followed by smaller group writing workshops throughout the day. (Sorry, the horse will not be joining us.)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration! (Assembly)

What can we do as students, teachers, artists, friends, brothers and sisters that lifts up and affirms others? In this 40 minute assembly program, we'll be finding ways to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and people like him in whatever we do. Songs include "I Care About You," "Love Grows One by One" (which makes use of American Sign Language), "It Starts with Me," the popular "Abraham, Martin, and John," "We Shall Overcome," "Sing About Martin," and the poem "Sometimes People Notice." This assembly can be followed by smaller group writing workshops throughout the day.

Smaller Group Writing Workshops

(typically 20 to 50 minutes per group)

Especially designed to follow a large group assembly program (see above), students have the opportunity to expand on the earlier presented themes, to write independently or as a group, to learn a new song or two, to ask questions, to share their writing... Loads of possibilities!

Songwriting Workshops

When the day's schedule allows for at least 50 minute workshop sessions, we'll use a chunk of that time to write a short song together. (Yup, it can be done!) We'll quickly record the song as a group. Later, I will mail to the school a copy of the day's songs on a CD along with typed lyrics sheets. Great fun!

Educators: Feel free to let me know in advance if you would like our workshop time to be steered in any particular direction. If your students have been exploring certain areas of writing, please tell me. Themes such as the writing process and any one particular stage of the writing process, tools of poetry, the life of the writer, and the question of where song, story and poetry ideas come from are especially fun for me to address. I am also very comfortable leading independent and group writing projects.

Equipment and Space Requirements

I will arrive approximately one hour before the scheduled program(s) with guitar, props and costumes, white board, and sound system in hand. (Well, maybe not all at once!) The school should provide:

* one sturdy table

* adequate floor space for comfortable student seating

* access to a power outlet

For schools outside of Washington State, I will need use of the school's sound system for large group assemblies and would appreciate use of a white board or large notepad easel.

Invite me to visit your school.

You can begin with this program request form.

There's no obligation. We're just getting the ball rolling.

Other Program Options:

Half-day, full-day, or multi-day programs and residencies

Song and poetry-writing workshops

Evening PTA/PTO events

Family literacy celebrations (A good choice for Title I funding and Family Reading Nights.)

RAH/PARP celebrations

Concerts (Often as a reward or celebration of student achievement - or just for fun!)

2011/2012 Rates for Schools in Washington State (Seattle/Tacoma area)

Please also read "Get Money Back for Your School!" below.

45-Minute Assembly: $475

Two Assemblies (same day): $575

One-Day Visit: $725*

Two-Day Visit: $1300*

One-Week Residency: $3,400*

Evening Event: $185 (in conjunction with other program(s) same day)

*Full day visits can include large group assembly programs, workshops, classroom visits, book signings... You decide!

(A mileage fee may be requested for schools more than two hours outside of the Seattle/Tacoma area.)

2011/2012 Rates for Schools outside Washington State

Please also read "Get Money Back for Your School!" below.

One-Day Visit: $875 plus travel and other expenses*

Two-Day Visit: $1580 plus travel and other expenses*

One-Week Residency: $3900 plus travel and other expenses*

Evening Event: $250 (in conjunction with other program(s) same day)

SPECIAL OUT-OF-STATE RATES: Team up with neighboring schools to receive discounted rates. Not only can you share travel and accommodation expenses, but back to back days at neighboring schools receive the same discounted rate as multiple days scheduled at the same school.

INTERNATIONAL VISITS: I'm always happy to discuss ways of making visits outside of the U.S. come together. Give a call or drop an email.

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Get Money Back for Your School!

Kids love to receive autographed books and CDs. If your school wishes to presell books and CDs, your students will be purchasing at a discount - roughly 10% to 15% off the list price. In addition, the school will receive $1.00 for every item sold. If the students purchase 100 books/CDs, the school makes $100.00. 150 items sold? The school makes $150.00. Ask about this opportunity when scheduling your visit. You'll be given an easy-to-use order form to send home with the students. Click here for a sample order form (pdf version).

Free Books and CD for your School's Library!

As a thank you for inviting me to your school, I will donate to your school's library a copy of my books When You're a Pirate Dog and Other Pirate Poems and Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones) along with a poetry anthology featuring several of my poems and a copy of I Love My Shoes, my Parents' Choice Silver Award Winning CD. Enjoy!

($47.00 worth of goodies!)

Contact Information

Eric Ode

Deep Rooted Music, LLC

P.O. Box 1324

Sumner, Washington 98390

Phone/FAX: (253) 826-2115 or email

Click here for a program request form.

A few words from the schools...

“Eric was outstanding in his presentation and performance to students and staff. His music and poetry were exceptionally energetic and entertaining. Students were captivated with his songwriting workshops, which were very positive and educational. His rapport with students and adults is exceptional! I would highly recommend Eric for a school assembly.”

- Linda Johnson, Community Resource Coordinator, Larson Heights Elem., Moses Lake, WA

"Adults and students alike raved about Eric's presentations. It was fun to watch him share with the kids. He made learning about writing fun and was very inspiring."

- Joie Ganley, Assembly Coordinator, Longview Elem, Moses Lake, WA

"Thank you once again for a delightful day. The halls are a buzz with excitement about yesterday. It is great to see such school wide enthusiasm. We rarely have common activities that build a sense of school community. What a bonus to an already meaningful experience!"

- Debbie Woltring, Reading Specialist and Author Visit Coordinator, Lowell Elem., Everett, WA

"I wanted to express in writing how wonderful your performances at Monte Cristo Elementary were. The Young Author's committee has heard nothing but positive comments from staff and students about your visit. We will definitely have you return in the future. You will be happy to know that as I walk through the halls I hear students memorizing your poetry for classroom presentations. You being here helped inspire them to read and write more."

- Valerie J. Anderson, Multiage Instructor, Monte Cristo Elementary, Granite Falls, WA

"Thanks for coming to Poulsbo Elementary. Staff and students loved you!"

- Joyce Schultz, Learning Specialist, Poulsbo Elementary, Poulsbo, WA

"We recently were fortunate enough to have Eric Ode visit our school. He presented our students and staff with a wonderful writing/singing/teaching assembly at Ness Elementary School. The students were highly entertained and took skills he taught them and created their own poems and songs. It is so encouraging to see kids get excited about learning! His method of teaching through music and poetry captivated the students. They were very much 'into' his presentation. His enthusiasm was contagious and the students were very excited and involved in his presentation. "We will definitely invite him back to Ness! The students truly enjoyed him and what he had to teach them. Learning is fun with Eric Ode!"

- Gayle Van Matre, Principal, Arthur Ness Elementary, Spokane, WA

"What a day! I enjoyed your lessons and entertaining as much as the students. So many people came up to me today to tell me how calm and great your demeanor is. Thank you for being a professional and having such great plans. You have wonderful classroom management. I appreciate how you care about kids listening and learning. Your objectives came through clear, and I love that kids learned and were entertained. I look forward to working with you again."

- Denelle Davis, Media Specialist, Rose Valley Elementary, Kelso, WA

"Our staff, our kids, and our parents absolutely LOVED Eric. He was wonderful and really did a fantastic job working with our kids. He was absolutely delightful, and he had a great disposition with everyone! I highly recommend you look into his website and learn more about him. You won't be disappointed!!"

- Carolyn Milian, Media Specialist, Lakeside Elementary, Pembroke Pines, FL

"I couldn't recommend Eric any higher. He had excellent rapport with the children."

- Wayne Mendro, Music Teacher, Elk Ridge Elementary School, Buckley, WA

"Eric did such a fine job with our students, from kindergarten to fifth grade. He tailored each presentation to fit the grade level, so that all were engaged, learning, and happy. Since Eric was a teacher, he was able to fit great teaching about poetry and language into a fun, interactive presentation! I highly recommend him!"

- Kay Ellison, Marshall Elementary, Vancouver, WA

"Eric brings smiles to the faces of adults as well as to children with his genuine excitement and enthusiasm for poetry and song. He exhibits professionalism while working with teachers and staff, and creates a personalized visit for students of any age. What a special opportunity it was to have him at our school!"

- Mary Falvey, 2nd Grade Teacher/Author Visit Coordinator, Harding Elem., Hammond, IN

"Thank you for the wonderful family literacy night presentation. You did a fabulous job of engaging a wide range of ages, including adults, in the appreciation of lyrical writing. Your humor, energy and warmth made a lasting impression on the participants."

- Kathy Peterson, WA Reading Corp. Coordinator, Crestwood Elem., Covington, WA

"Having Eric here was a wonderful gift for the students! I was very impressed with how respectfully he spoke to each and every child. I absolutely would have him back next year."

- Marilyn Brennan, Evergreen Elementary, WSU Extension Mason County, Shelton, WA

"Students have been talking about your visit all week long. They are staying in from recess to write poems! Your message was heard by our students, and the staff thanks you. We all appreciate the energy and time you give to children."

- Judy Brown, Librarian, Elger Bay Elementary, Camano Island, WA

"Eric’s visit to our school was a total delight for both students and teachers. He did a great job of adapting his lively presentations to engage all the different age levels, and I especially appreciated his flexibility and willingness to work with whatever schedule came up. His positive message, gentle humor, and high level of professionalism make him a great choice for any school."

- Debi Gray, Librarian/Assembly Coordinator, Christ Methodist Day School, Memphis, TN

"Thank you for a great performance! You kept our students and staff captivated and involved throughout the fast paced forty-five minute assembly. Your humor and love for the writing process got the kids excited to write. You are a natural with students, and they loved having you share your talent with them! We had FUN and look forward to you coming to visit us again!"

- Margot Hightower, Principal, Enterprise Elementary, Federal Way, WA

"Eric's positive attitude and love of music and writing were energetically reflected in the high quality of the assembly and workshops. Woven through the catchy tunes and banter with the audience were rhyming strategies and creative ideas for writing. Not only is Eric an accomplished musician but also an exceptional teacher. The staff and students alike were humming the songs and talking about the ideas even after Eric left! There are presenters who because of their commitment to literacy and students must be considered outstanding... Eric Ode is one of them!"

- Victoria Hopper, Principal, Southwood Elem, Enumclaw, WA

“It was a pleasure to meet and work with Eric. He was professional, entertaining, and a wonderful teacher as well. Students, families and faculty were impressed with his performances and learned new information! We are passing his name onto our colleagues.”

- Susan Fish, Literacy Coach, Carriage Crest Elem, Renton, WA

"Dear Eric Ode, You have been a great inspiration to lots of Emerson students, including me. I want to become a famus poet now just like you. You've made me want to look forward to writing class."

- fourth grade student, Everett, WA

"Dear Mr. Ode, You were the best person I ever heard. You made me lagh my hed off."

- third grade student, Memphis, TN

Promotional Photos: Building a poster to promote your assembly program?

Follow this link to a page of promotional photos.