Scooby Doo Author James Gelsey Visits Matula

On October 15, 2007 Scooby Doo author, James Gelsey visited Matula Elementary School for a “Write Now!” interactive assembly on how to become an author and write mysteries. All grade levels attended at different times throughout the day. The assemblies were geared towards each grade level with “Fundamentals” for Kindergarten and Grade 1, “Journey of Imagination” for Grades 2 and 3, and “Whodunit” for Grades 4 and 5. During each assembly James Gelsey entertained students as he walked them through the creative writing process, reinforcing many of the things that they are learning in their classrooms relative to writing: parts of a story, basic structure, brainstorming and organizing ideas. All assemblies culminated in the creation of an original mystery that the students helped plan. Upon completion of each assembly the students returned to their classroom to write. Prior to his visit, Matula’s media specialist, Susan Farneth, ordered many of the James Gelsey Scooby Doo books that students could purchase at the school book fair and then get signed by the author on the day of the visit. Some students even brought in their own Scooby Doo books from home to get autographed. This was a very exciting day for Matula with a famous author visit and a renewed love for writing for all students!