presentation OFFERINGS
Build-a-Bug
Students will participate in an interactive reading of On The Air With Dr. Doodlebug. After the reading, Merrill will then talk about how all bugs have a purpose; whether you like them or not. Students will then be challenged to design a bug of their own, define what their bug’s superpower would be, and how that superpower would have impact on the environment. This presentation is great for STEAM education, hands on learning, and creative storytelling.
Grades 2-5 : 50–60 minutes
Doodle-a-Bug
Students will participate in an interactive reading of On The Air With Dr. Doodlebug. After the reading, Merrill will then teach the audience how to create a nature journal out of a sheet of paper. Students will then participate in a draw along of Dr. Doodlebug and fill in their first page of their journal. This presentation is great for STEAM education, hands on learning, and creative storytelling.
Grades K-3 : 50–60 minutes
Picture Book Creator/Paper Toy Maker
Students will learn what I do, how I create my work, and why I started illustrating! They will get to see samples of each stage of my process and the steps I take to create a final picture book.
Materials needed: paper, writing instrument & clipboard to be passed out toward the end of presentation.
Grades PK-2: 30-60 minutes
Creative Play!
Through an interactive activity, participants will learn how I create my art based on seeing shapes and colors. They will then get to create an illustration using only colored paper, scissors, and glue.
Materials needed: scissors, glue stick, colored paper/construction paper
Grades 1-5: 45–60 minutes
COLOR, CUT, CREATE! Paper Toy Character Creation (Most Popular)
This workshop covers my fundamentals of paper toy engineering. It focuses on teaching students that they can create anything they can imagine by putting a plan in place, then putting their plan into motion. This is accomplished with a step-by-step workshop which allows the students to create and then build their own paper toy character alongside me.
Materials needed: scissors, glue sticks, crayons, markers or colored pencils, additional craft supplies: ie: googly eyes, cardboard, scrap paper, toilet paper rolls, etc.
Grades 2-5 : 50–60 minutes
COLOR, CUT, CREATE! Animate
This workshop covers the basics of character creation and storytelling through the use of stop motion animation. It focuses on teaching students that they can create anything they can imagine by putting a plan in place, then putting their plan into motion. This is accomplished with a step-by-step curriculum which allows the students to create and then build their own paper toy character(s), storyboards, 3D sets, and stop motion animations. This workshop also covers tips and tricks on how to make dynamic scenes and settings through the use of homemade sets and special effects. Color, Cut, Create Animate is great for those looking for a unique STEAM based opportunity to teach students the art of writing and creating stories.
Grades 2-8: Full experience is a one week workshop, but can be truncated into a two hour workshop.
Toys From TUBES•Family STEAM night workshop
This family friendly event focuses on the importance of why we need to give our kids the opportunities to create. Families will be challenged to work together and create anything that they can imagine using paper tubes, scissors, glue, and other craft supplies. Toys From Tubes is a great way for families to connect in a creative meaningful way.
Materials Needed: Paper tubes of various sizes (most schools will put out a call for paper tube donations), scissors, glue sticks, glue guns, craft sticks, googly eyes, and other STEAM/craft supplies the school has on hand that they want to get rid of.
Materials needed: Glue guns, scissors, crayons, markers or colored pencils, crafts sticks, google eyes, chenille stems, donated paper towel or toilet paper rolls
Grades PK-6 : 60 minutes *This is geared towards elementary school aged students but can be customized for older grades
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presentation TESTIMONIES!
“It was such a joy to welcome Mr. Rainey to Rossford Elementary. His well-prepared presentations and interactive activities engaged our students, and his Family Literacy Night session encouraged meaningful collaboration and connections between families. Even over a year later, families continue to speak enthusiastically about the event.”
—Brittany Henderson, Teacher/Librarian, Rossford Elementary
"Merrill is fantastic at inspiring kids to think outside the box, use their imaginations, and have fun all at the same time.” —Kathryn Powers, Ohioana Library Assistant Director
"Our library booked Mr. Rainey for several events in 2023. He was fabulous! I was so impressed with how interactive he is with the children. If they weren’t a fan of his when he began, they certainly were by the time he left. For our library he charmed us with dinosaur storytimes, taught a stop motion animation program for tweens and performed a large scale book release program complete with props and audience participation. He took time to talk to each child that approached him and even brought lots of swag to hand out. We plan to have him back in the future because he was a joy to work with and was great with adapting to whatever was needed moment to moment."
—Rikki Unterbrink, Youth Services Director, Shelby County Libraries
"We recently had the most incredible author visit from Merrill Rainey at our library and elementary school! Merrill’s interactive session had the kids creating with paper, scissors, and glue, and they were absolutely captivated by his big cardboard James the Dinosaur. His hands-on activities brought a new level of excitement and engagement, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. We highly recommend Merrill Rainey to any school or library looking to inspire young minds in the creative process with a true expert!"
—Beth Emmons, Early Learning Specialist, Frankenmuth Wickson District Library
