All About Growing™

Reading and writing development

Survival skills for the 21st century

It's all about growing . . .

Sponsored by JGC/United Publishing

1. How A Book Is Born: A Reading And Writing Program
By Author John Gile For Students Of All Ages
Click here for sample evauations

     “How A Book Is Born” is a guided tour of writing processes common to narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing. It is an instructive, motivational tour that explains and illustrates techniques to:
    • find, capture, and develop ideas;
    • organize writing elements;
    • overcome writer’s block to complete writing assignments promptly;
    • produce writing that is clear, concise, cogent, and compelling;
    • enliven and strengthen writing with similes, metaphors, analogies, personification;
    • avoid common writing pitfalls that can make writing seem difficult;
    • create and merge illustrations;
    • benefit from the reading/writing connection;
    • use journals to strengthen “whole brain” thinking and writing skills.

For scheduling and for answers to questions, call 815.968.6601 or email mailbox@jgcunited.com.

How does it differ from other programs?

     “How A Book Is Born” fleshes out and complements all academic reading and writing programs and approaches at every level. It goes beyond theory and provides students with tools and techniques the presenter has used in creating award-winning books that have made and topped bestseller lists. Students benefit by seeing firsthand how authors apply those writing techniques in their work.

     The core program includes entertaining illustrations of
    • how writers find, capture, and develop ideas into finished stories;
    • how artists develop illustrations and how the writing and art are merged to produce a finished product
    • why effective and successful writing is accomplished by rewriting, revising, and editing;
    • how art elements evolve from rough doodles and early sketches into full color illustrations;
    • how texts evolve from rough notes into final form.
    • how writers and artists overcome initial inertia why the first step — getting started — is so important.

     “How A Book Is Born” is adapted to the specific needs and interests of each group with personal anecdotes designed to encourage and motivate participants in their writing. Though the program includes an overview of book production, the presenter shares from both formal college training and years of personal experience writing for newspapers, magazines, books, radio, TV, and the Internet, to emphasize that books are only one of many expressions of writers’ works.

Time: Allow about two hours.
Fee per participant: About the price of a happy meal, but nourishes for a lifetime.
Location: Available for your preferred location (community meeting hall, library, church, school, bookstore, etc.) and at 1717 Harlem Boulevard, Rockford, IL.
For scheduling and for answers to questions, call 815.968.6601 or email mailbox@jgcunited.com.

2. Writing Workshops That Turn "I Hate Writing" Into "I Love Writing" With Tips And Tools That Make Writing Easier, Faster, More Powerful, And More Fun

     The Writing Workshop is a hands-on guided tour of writing processes common to all forms, genres, and applications to help:
    • organize writing elements;
    • use journals to strengthen “whole brain” thinking and writing skills
    • overcome writer’s block to complete writing assignments promptly;
    • produce writing that is clear, concise, cogent, and compelling;
    • enliven and strengthen writing with similes, metaphors, analogies, personification;
    • avoid common writing pitfalls that can make writing seem difficult;
    • create and merge illustrations;
    • understand and benefit from the reading/writing connection.

     Included for Writing Workshop participants are handouts and take-home writing aids.

Time: Allow about three hours.
Fee per participant: About the price of a movie admission, but you are the star and your story never ends.
Location: Available for your preferred location (community meeting hall, library, church, school, bookstore, etc.) and at 1717 Harlem Boulevard, Rockford, IL.
For scheduling and for answers to questions call 815.968.6601 or email mailbox@jgcunited.com.

And there's more,
with something for everyone . . .

3. Personal Growth And Enrichment
For The Entire Family

     Anything Can Happen: Creative Living 24/7 provides tips and tools for using your creative powers, communication skills, and the power of imaginative literature to expand vision, give hope, and inspire change.

     Bringing Out The Best In Ourselves And Others explores the elements of effective listening and writing techniques for fostering focused and clear thinking to strengthen relationships at home and school.

     Growing Together: Less Than Perfect Parents Of Less Than Perfect Children In A Less Than Perfect World provides encouragement growing out of the tears and laughter that come with the exciting adventure of family life.

     "Nobody's Perfetc" is a celebration of our human frailties, imperfections, and shortcomings summed up in a page from Keeping First Things First: “Improvement should be your goal, not perfection. Life is a process; improvement is a process. Constant improvement is the perfection of the process of living.”

     Back to Basics: The Four C's Of Leadership And Achievement focuses on skills which make it possible to bring out the best in ourselves and others

     Writing For Success — Surveys of business leaders and educators cite writing skills as the most sought after and most important skills for achieving success in the 21st century workplace. Learn tricks of the trade from a writing pro, practical tips and tools you will begin using immediately to make your writing easier, faster, and more powerful.

Time: Allow about two hours.
Fee per participant: About the price of a movie admission, but you are the star and your story never ends.
Location: Available for your preferred location (community meeting hall, library, church, school, bookstore, etc.) and at 1717 Harlem Boulevard, Rockford, IL.
For scheduling and for answers to questions, call 815.968.6601 or email mailbox@jgcunited.com.

Click here for examples of program evaluations
by educators from coast to coast.
More evaluation excerpts are provided below.

Top of Page • Email me

www.jgcunited.com • www.johngile.com
mailbox@jgcunited.com • JGC/United Publishing Corps
1717 Harlem Boulevard • Rockford, Illinois 61103 • 815.968.6601

Motivation and foundational skill development in my programs and books provide students with enrichment that pays dividends for a lifetime. -- John Gile

Here's what educators say:

• “He is about the best author that I've seen as far as teaching and speaking on what we teach. I'd like to see him here next year.” — Carolyn F., Vestavia Central, Birmingham, AL

• “Thanks for spending time with the children — my writing center was full as a result of your presentation.” — Ann V., Bannes School, Tinley Park, IL

• “Mr. Gile talked to the kids in a way they could understand. He answered all of their questions and was very patient . . . Great presentation!” — Kathryn P., and Phyllis K., Teachers, Harrisburg, PA

• “One of the best I've had the opportunity to be a part of . . . made every student feel that he could become a writer, too.” — Roberta P., Wilder-Waite, Peoria, IL

• “John knew exactly what worked with kids . . . The students, as well as I myself, were eager to read and write. It excited them.” — Ann C., Teacher, Cascade, IA

• “I felt very inspired after your presentation and many students vocalized similar feelings after the presentation . . . One of my students was talking and you moved him in front of you. After the presentation that student kept talking about how wonderful the presentation was. You really impacted his attitude about writing along with other students' attitudes.” — Nicole N., Banner Elementary, Dunlap, IL

• “Children are more interested in spending the time and effort to do quality writing now.” — Dorothy D., Teacher, Perham, MN

• “...The ability to motivate the students who are typically reluctant to write . . . It's a great program. I've recommended it to teachers in other districts. I'd like to see it recycle through our schools every two or three years.” — Carl S.,Lincoln, West Chicago, IL

• “My students came back to the room very excited about writing.” — Cathy R., VHEC, Germany

• "I was especially pleased to hear our high schoolers state how interesting you were."— IL

• “Wonderful program! Several children left the presentation and sat down to write a book! We really appreciated his reinforcement of things we teach — reading, rewriting. Thank you for a wonderful presentation!” — Gail M., Teacher, Austin Elementary, Odessa, TX

• “The presentation made me want to do more writing!” — Larry H., Middle School Teacher, LaGrange, IL

• “It was great the way he varied what he said to his audience's age level. . . . I feel his presentation touched the lives of all who heard him. It was very well organized — points clear with excellent examples.” — Rita P., Teacher, Cleveland Elementary, Elkhart, IN

• “Kids were writing books during recess after they saw your presentation . . . Good student involvement” — Kelly S., Ellsworth Elementary, Naperville, IL

• “Students gained a new perspective on writing, and so did I!” — NY

• “He made the presentation so interesting that it piqued the children's interest. As a result, the students asked terrific questions! . . . Warm, caring, honest demeanor. We loved meeting him. Outstanding presentation — well organized — interesting materials — I love the way he truly cares about children and what he's trying to do for all of us.” — Taylor Park Teacher, Freeport, IL

• “A great workshop! Children were interested, excited and couldn't wait to make their own book.” Kathy C., Jackson Heights Elementary, Glens Falls, NY

• “Very enjoyable — the kids were very excited and eager to start writing!” — K. M., Galloway School, Channahon, IL

• “. . . Involved the kids and got them to draw on their own experiences and identify with the author. . . Wonderful for letting the kids know they are writers. . . John gave us ideas to reinforce with the students. . . I thought it was grade appropriate and kept the children thinking! . . . Motivation!” — Cindy N., Richards School, Whitefish Bay, WI

• “What a wonderful presentation. The children were spellbound . . . For many of them this day will be a memory that lasts forever.” — Cathy G., Cultural Resources Coordinator, Normal, IL

• “Excellent rapport with students . . . The students came away feeling good about their efforts to write. I think this was due to the warm, caring atmosphere that was created.” — Deborah S., Teacher, Hightower Elementary, Conyers, GA