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. We talk about some history of the Declaration of Independence and why it is important. Then we spend time introducing cursive letters and practicing them. I arrive early to set up and write their names in cursive so at the end of the program, they create a signature for themselves that is inspired by signatures from colonial times. In addition, Debby will be in colonial costume.

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

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 supplies
*Projector

WHAT I WILL PROVIDE
I will bring:
*Handouts packets. These are detailed instruction pages on how to write in cursive and include practice pages they can take home to continue learning. Lower case packet is 6 pages; Capitals packet is 8
*Slant boards
*Prop for boards
*Pencils and erasers
*Colored pencils
*Parchment paper for their name project
*Large replicas of the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the US Constitution

DETAILS
Class size: max 20
Appropriate for elementary age patrons and up (Grade 2 and up). Since many parents don’t know cursive, parents are welcome to participate as well. Plus, parents can be an encouragement as children are working on this challenging skill. 

In-person only

COSTS
For a 90-minute program, starting cost is: $300 includes all material costs.

Libraries that are more than 75 miles away there is a $50 travel fee. 

Mileage: All in-person classes do have a mileage reimbursement fee for the round trip from my studio in North Granby, Connecticut. I follow the IRS mileage reimbursement rate.

Block booking: Additional programs on the same day are $190. Please add mileage costs between locations. Please contact me for out-of-state block booking rates. 

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.

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 interactive, hands-on 90-minute program with calligrapher, Debby Reelitz, students will learn about the Declaration of Independence, 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