“Empowering through Imagination”
Children love to play! In all of the educational programs I teach, I use fun and imagination to encourage reading, learning, and self-confidence. That’s what the Sabrina Summers series is all about – and it’s what all of the programs you see here are about, too. I’d love to visit your students so please click below and let’s talk about a visit!
Classes
I offer creative writing classes that inspire children to write, read, learn, and grow.
Activities
I’ve designed age-appropriate and standards-compliant classroom activities for teachers of The Sabrina Summers series.
Competitions
My readers have been loving the opportunity to enter writing competitions that show off their talents and give them the chance to express their creativity in new ways.
COURES
Classes & Events for Children
Writers Plot, Readers Read!
A lower-hutt competition
Children wrote stories or submitted artwork on the theme of what they would do if Fairyland invaded their hometown. Well done Suzie Coe and Hayden Paine for their amazing entries. Big thanks to Cat and Caro for hosting the competition.
Timaru Library Competition
To Celebrate the launches of the fist two Sabrina Summers books
Children and young adults had the chance to write their very best, creative stories and win a range of prizes. Congratulations to Madison Sugrue (twice), Ben Gordon, Sidnee Black, and Annie Henderson!
Wellington Children’s Bookshop
A dyslexia-friendly drawing and writing Competition
Children from across Wellington wrote stories and submitted art based on the theme “What would you do if Fairyland invaded the Beehive?” Well done to Flynn Gartrell for his awesome story.
Contact Me Today!
Teachers, everything I’ve created here is for you. Please contact me to talk about classes, activities, competitions, or something else you have in mind. I promise you, your students will love the chance to learn and grow with me!
About ME
MY STORY
My full name is Michele Clark McConnochie, and I live in New Zealand with my husband Brent, step-daughter Steph, and our two rescue-cats. I am Welsh, originally from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. I have worked in education as a teacher and manager for over 20 years. I support Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, and secretly I am a bit of a geek.
I hope people will have fun reading my books and that my books will make a difference in children’s lives for years to come.
GeCOURES
Get Free Teaching Resources for
The Strange Sagas of Sabrina Summers!
Get Free Worksheets for Teaching The Uncooperative Flying Carpet
Appropriate for Ages 7-12
Common core in literacy and English upper key stage 2 in the UK and grades 3-5 US.
Teach The Uncomfortable Glass Slippers
Appropriate for Ages 7-12
Common core in literacy and English upper key stage 2 in the UK and grades 3-5 US.
The Uncontrollable Slingshot
Appropriate for ages 7-12
Common core in literacy and English upper key stage 2 in the UK and grades 3-5 US.
TESTIMONIALS
What My Students Say
Overall Excellence – for the teacher who is an outstanding educator in every single way! Ara Institute of Canterbury Student-Led Teaching Nominations 2019.
Michele provided valuable and fun creative writing lessons for our community of homeschoolers. Helen Dumble, Christchurch.
FAQ
Frequently Asked
Who are your favourite children’s authors?
When I was growing up, I loved Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, The Three Investigators, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys. Now, I love anything by Jacqueline Wilson, Meg Cabot, Virginia Bergin, and Kirsty MacKay’s Undead books. I ask the children I teach writing to what they like and they always give me ideas for great books to read
Why do you write for children and young adults?
I used think I wanted to write books for adults, but when my wonderful niece when she was a little girl, I wrote stories for her, and then for my step-daughter. They inspired me, I guess. Now, I wouldn’t do anything else – I love it and that all children deserve to read books that make them happy and that also help with growing up.
Where did you get the idea for the Sabrina Summers Sagas?
It came from a short-story I wrote for my step-daughter one Christmas, when she and her family and friends all become fairy-tale characters. I thought it would be fun to develop the idea.
What do you like best about being a writer?
I sit at home with my cats, a view of the Pacific Ocean and make up fun stories – what’s not to like! I really like going into schools and working with children who want to write, too.
