SUMMARY
During this 90-minute program, children will learn about how people wrote during the American Revolution. What is cursive? What did they write with and what did they write on?  Samples will range from Thomas Jefferson to Phillis Wheatley to John Hancock and Abigail Adams. The bulk of the program will be spent introducing cursive letters and practicing them. The end goal is to create a signature for themselves that is inspired by signatures from colonial times. In addition, Debby will be in colonial costume. 

ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM TITLE
Learn to write like George Washington (or Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, John Hancock)

DETAILS
For a 90-minute program, starting cost is: $200
Class size: max 20
Appropriate for elementary age patrons and up (Grade 2 and up)

Supplies: 10 page handout packet to use and take home. An inspiration to learn cursive writing!

If I supply the handout packets the supply fee is $25. If the library would like to print the packets themselves (available digitally in advance and printable on standard copy paper), there is no supply fee. 

I will provide pencils, fountain pens, and parchment paper for their signature project.

In-person only

Mileage reimbursement fee from my studio in North Granby, Connecticut, to the class location and back. I follow the IRS mileage reimbursement rate.

BLOCK BOOKING
To save on mileage fees, libraries are encouraged to work together and have their program on the same day and split the mileage cost.

WHAT I NEED FROM THE LIBRARY
*Tables for patrons, 4 patrons per 6’ table. No circle tables please
*2 Tables for presenter set up and display
*Easel
*Large dry erase board or blank wall space where I can demonstrate the cursive writing. I will provide paper I can write on.

WHAT I WILL PROVIDE
I will bring:
*Slant boards
*Prop for boards
*Pencils and erasers
*Fountain Pens
*Paper for demonstrating on
*Table coverings reusable
*Large replicas of the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the US Constitution 

DESCRIPTION FOR MARKETING
The writing on the Declaration of Independence looks like a secret code! Let’s learn that cursive code and write like Thomas Jefferson and Phillis Wheatley. During this hands-on 90-minute program with calligrapher, Debby Reelitz, students will get the opportunity to learn and practice cursive and design a special signature inspired by famous historical figures from the American Revolution. 

ABOUT DEBBY:
Debby Reelitz’s 5th grade teacher introduced her to calligraphy and she loves to share her passion for handwritten letters with young people. Kids are taught the practical side of the alphabet with spelling and writing sentences and taking tests. Debby loves to help kids discover the joy in being creative with those oh-so-useful-26-symbols. Debby lives in North Granby, Connecticut. Information can be found at her website: https://letteringdesign.com

I’m happy to answer questions. I’ve thrown out a lot of information!
860-550-3002