Bring Eric Ode to Your School!

Eric Ode is an award-winning singer, songwriter, poet, and entertainer from Washington state. A former elementary teacher, he now spends his time touring schools, festivals, libraries, and churches. Eric puts a musical stamp on his lessons about rhyme, alliteration, meter, and the writing process. With plenty of props and costumes, Eric engages children in his delightful shows.

Home: Bonney Lake, WA

Travels to: Eric travels anywhere he’s invited.

Booking: Click here to contact Eric Ode about a visit to your school. 

The Author of: Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones)  

Poems appear in: Miles of Smiles, Rolling in the Aisles, If Kids Ruled the School, Oh My Darling, Porcupine, plus many, many other books.

Rates for Schools in Washington State 

45-Minute Assembly: $420 plus travel and other expenses
Two Assemblies (same day): $490 plus travel and other expenses
One-Day Visit: $600* plus travel and other expenses
Two-Day Visit: $1100* plus travel and other expenses
One-Week Visit: $2,700* plus travel and other expenses
Evening Event: $185 (in conjunction with additional program(s) on the same day)

*Full-day visits can include large group assembly programs, workshops, classroom visits—you decide!

Rates for Schools outside Washington State

One-Day Visit: $875 plus travel and other expenses*
Two-day visit: $1550 plus travel and other expenses*
One-week visit: $3700 plus travel and other expenses*
Evening Event: $250 (in conjunction with additional program(s) on the same day)

*Schools ouside of western Washington: Team up with neighboring schools to receive discounted rates. Not only can you share travel and accommodation expenses, but back to back days at neighboring schools receive the same discounted rate as multiple days scheduled at the same school.

Biography

Eric Ode (pronounced Oh-dee) is a singer, songwriter, and widely published poet who would like to help you get your kids excited about the writing process. As a former elementary teacher and the author of hundreds of songs and poems for kids, his music has received three Parents' Choice Awards and a NAPPA Honors Award. He is the author of Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones) , a collection of silly cowboy poems published by Meadowbrook Press. Additionally his poems have appeared in eleven anthologies including If Kids Ruled the School, Rolling in the Aisles, Dinner with Dracula, My Teacher's in Detentions, as well as many other books and magazines.

Event Description

Children's poet and Parents' Choice Award-winner Eric Ode puts a musical spin to his school visits. With poems published by Meadowbrook Press and various children's magazines as well as dozens upon dozens of songs at the ready, Eric opens the door to the poetry-writing process in a fun and highly interactive way.

Using plenty of props and costumes (even a motorized skunk!) and, of course, lots of music, Eric teaches students about the writing process. He introduces concepts such as prewriting, word choice, rhyme scheme, alliteration, and meter. Time is set aside for "on-the-spot" writing of a group poem as well as a question-and-answer period.

When you call or e-mail, be sure to ask us about the following special programs:

1. Writing Songs and Poems: A Music Assembly for the Elementary Grades
2. Poetry and Songwriting Workshops
3. Multiple-Day Residencies

Testimonials

 “Eric was outstanding in his presentation and performance to students and staff. His music and poetry were exceptionally energetic and entertaining. Students were captivated with his songwriting workshops, which were very positive and educational. His rapport with students and adults is exceptional! I would highly recommend Eric for a school assembly.”
—Linda Johnson, Community Resource Coordinator, Larson Heights Elem., Moses Lake, WA

"I couldn't recommend Eric any higher. He had excellent rapport with the children."—Wayne Mendro, Music Teacher, Elk Ridge Elementary School, Buckley, WA

"We recently were fortunate enough to have Eric Ode visit our school. He presented our students and staff with a wonderful writing/singing/teaching assembly at Ness Elementary School. The students were highly entertained, and they took skills he taught them and created their own poems and songs. It is so encouraging to see kids get excited about learning! His method of teaching through music and poetry captivated the students. They were very much 'into' his presentation. His enthusiasm was contagious and the students were very excited and involved in his presentation. We will definitely invite him back to Ness! The students truly enjoyed him and what he had to teach them. Learning is fun with Eric Ode!"
—Gayle Van Matre, Principal, Arthur Ness Elementary, Spokane, WA

"I strongly recommend Eric for a school assembly. His music will bring smiles and sunshine to everyone!"
—Joanne Demarinis, Vice Principal, St. Philomena School, Seattle, WA

"You get an A+!"
—Larry Joecks, Principal, New Hope Christian School, Auburn, WA

"You gave all of us—youngsters and adults alike—a wonderful morning of music and fun! Everyone had such a good time. You have a wonderful way with kids!"
—Margaret Martin, Children's Librarian, Mercer Island Public Library, Mercer Island, WA

"Thank you for the wonderful family literacy night presentation. You did a fabulous job of engaging a wide range of ages, including adults, in the appreciation of lyrical writing. Your humor, energy and warmth made a lasting impression on the participants."
—Kathy Peterson, WA Reading Corp. Coordinator, Crestwood Elem., Covington, WA

"Eric's positive attitude and love of music and writing were energetically reflected in the high quality of the assembly and workshops. Woven through the catchy tunes and banter with the audience were rhyming strategies and creative ideas for writing. Not only is Eric an accomplished musician but also an exceptional teacher. The staff and students alike were humming the songs and talking about the ideas even after Eric left! There are presenters who because of their commitment to literacy and students must be considered outstanding...Eric Ode is one of them!"
—Victoria Hopper, Principal, Southwood Elem, Enumclaw, WA

"Thank you for a great performance! You kept our students and staff captivated and involved throughout the fast paced forty-five minute assembly. Your humor and love for the writing process got the kids excited to write. You are a natural with students, and they loved having you share your talent with them! We had FUN and look forward to you coming to visit us again!"
—Margot Hightower, Principal, Enterprise Elementary, Federal Way, WA

"Adults and students alike raved about Eric's presentations. It was fun to watch him share with the kids. He made learning about writing fun and was very inspiring."
—Joie Ganley, Longview Elementary School, Moses Lake, WA

“It was a pleasure to meet and work with Eric. He was professional, entertaining, and a wonderful teacher as well. Students, families and faculty were impressed with his performances and learned new information! We are passing his name onto our colleagues.”
—Susan Fish, Literacy Coach, Carriage Crest Elem, Renton, WA

Sample Poem

I’ll Teach My Dog to Read

I'll teach my dog to read.
I'll teach my dog to write.
He'll multiply in record speed.
He'll learn to be polite.
I'll teach my dog the golden rule,
and he'll be so well-bred,
next year I'll send my dog to school,
and I'll stay home instead.

© 2004 by Eric Ode. Reprinted from If Kids Ruled the School (Meadowbrook Press).