Testimonials

I am thrilled to be able to give you a review on our experience as our Writer in Residence this year.

From the wonderful artifacts to you sharing an excerpt from one of your books my students were captivated from the beginning. They were engaged and jumped right away to write their own story when you showed them the writing prompt. Even students who have learning disabilities and writing is one of their challenges. I sometimes scribe for one of them, but he was so motivated to write his story that he would say “yes, yes, but I know where I am going with this” while I scribed and by the end of it, he was writing by himself because he was so excited.

The use of our Five Senses could not have been better since we were working with them in Spanish writing to make it easier to add details to our writing activities. The concept was not only reinforced but seen in a different light because you, as a writer, mentioned the importance of add details that are at our finger tips -literally-.

Also, at the end when students had the opportunity to share their artifact description and others were able to guess, it created a very excited atmosphere. Students wanted to be chosen to share or guess and everyone was engaged.

Thank you so much for your gift to us.

We thoroughly enjoyed Jacqueline’s visit to our school. I heard only positive and enthusiastic feedback from teachers. The Gr. 4 and 5 teachers were especially appreciative of the wonderful curriculum link Jacqueline’s presentation covered. Our students are enjoying her books very much!

I queried teachers about your visit and the feeling was unanimous that it was a great experience for teachers and students alike. Teachers felt that your lessons were very clear and very systematic; the kids could follow where you wanted to take them. Teachers and students liked the 5 W’s idea for writing; a few mentioned this in particular. There were also high marks for the artifact display and opportunity for kids to view and ask questions about that. Another plus was learning more about the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada during the visit to the artifact exhibit. There were some things that were new for teachers and students alike. Again, thank you so much for your visit and for providing some effective lessons for students with respect to writing. The immediate feedback you gave to the children who shared was helpful to students as we know that is the best kind of feedback: in the moment and specific. I think seeing that was probably helpful for teachers, as well.

We had no idea that we were surrounded by so many young story-tellers! Jacqueline brought out the power of story in each and every one of our students, inspiring them to learn more about Canadian history, put themselves in others’ shoes, write beautifully descriptive journal entries, and share their work orally with their peers – all in 80 minutes! Our students and teachers loved the workshop, laughing and learning alongside Jacqueline. We can’t wait for her to come back!

Remembering the Buffalo Hunt Through Journaling

What an absolute pleasure to have Jacqueline in our class today! My grade 6 students where all very engaged during her presentation. They responded and enjoyed the flash writing activity. Her personal passion for writing was evident and she was easily able to make my students embrace her energy! I highly recommend she visit your classroom.

FNMI Easy Key Elementary Writing Workshop

That was great! When I grow up, I want to be Metis!

I was the one who cracked your Morse code, and won your book when you visited our school! I read the whole thing when I got home from school, and I loved it! I just wanted to asked about the ending of the story and when I read it I burst out in happy and sad tears! I was wondering if there is another book that continues the journey of Ailish, and her friend Paddy. I also would like to know if Davey comes back to visit her again. I will always read that book and never forget that ending!

I would like to express my gratitude for your visit on Tuesday and contributing to our Literacy Week. Your presentations were amazing. You had our students engaged and interested. It was wonderful to see their interest and enjoyment. Your books are being asked about and talked about among our students. I have received so many positive comments from students and staff. Thanks for making my first Author Visit a memorable one.

Jacqueline engaged the students from the moment she began her presentation.  Her enthusiasm and humour were perfect.  She spoke with the students and right at their level.  Her passion for kids was truly evident.

Rita Lal,   Bev Facey High School

Teacher feedback on ‘Ghost Messages Presentation’: I’m wildly enthusiastic and appreciative!  I went right to the computer to research the Transatlantic Cable.

Student feedback: ‘Absolutely awesome!!!’

From Xavier:

“When Jacqueline Guest came to our school she talked about the stories in her books.  She gave us a summary of the book

Ghost Messages and talked a lot about the Great Eastern, a huge ship.  I learned a bit about history and I wanted to read the book.”

From Paula, (the Mom):

“My son was very interested in reading several of Jacqueline’s books after she gave a presentation at the school.  He told me all about the stories and I was delighted to hear how they were based on the history of our country and of Alberta.  What a wonderful opportunity the students had to meet a local writer and to learn about their own ‘backyard’!

(I was also happy to hear that the books were written for different age levels.)”

Student comments:

“It was easy to understand and very funny!!!’

“I liked how she used volunteers to demonstrate the life style.”

“Instead of just explaining, she used props!’

“Thank you for teaching us about history. I will appreciate it more.”

Teacher Comments:

“We have had nothing but positive feedback from students and staff!”

Wendy Bain, Literacy Program Teacher

We really enjoyed your presentation and we learned so much about Canada’s history with the war and comics.  You really made an impact on them.  I really liked how you began and stayed with the concept of What If. My students really understood how important that is to begin writing and the relationship between being an avid reader and a good writer. Now some of my students are interested in doing some research on Canadian comics. It was truly inspiring.

Thank you for coming Mrs. Guest.  I now want to read Belle of Batoche (I’m into war, fantasy, adventure).  Also, those young adult books, I can read that!  They look awesome I think Rink Rivals looks good too.

I loved your presentation, it was really interesting.  I bet that my favorite books would be Belle of Batoche or Rookie Season because I like to play hokey.  Now that I saw your presentation I’m working on a story on my mom’s laptop, it’s about a snow monster and I’m not giving up!

This was a wonderful presentation! Jacqueline captivated my class with her stories, personal memories and knowledge of Canadian history, especially the Metis.  Thoroughly enjoyable! My students are very excited to read her books. Inspiring for young, future authors!

Students were very interested in all the artifacts that Jacqueline Guest brought.  The presentation was lively and students learned a lot. She spoke to them at their level and provided a lot of visual aid to go with the presentation.  I love that they are inspired to improve their own writing.

My students loved her and her presentation! She talked to the students not over them.  The presentation was perfect for their age group (grade one and two).”

It was a pleasure to have the children meet and hear Jacqueline’s presentation.  She is a dynamic speaker who spent time talking to the little ones about the importance of reading and writing.  Her motto <<Never Give UP>> has become our too!

Outstanding presentation!  Jacqueline kept all students engaged during the entire presentation.  She is very enthusiastic about writing, reading and sharing!”  I highly recommend her to any school.