Author visits · Hutterite colony schools
Their stories
belong here.
Reading and writing grow when students discover that their own experiences are worth putting into words.
Sigmund Brouwer brings extensive experience in Hutterite colony schools, with presentations and writing workshops shaped around your students, your school, and your community’s faith and practices.
An approach that fits your school ↓
Experience with colony educators
A familiar face.
A practical approach.
Alongside his work in colony schools, Sigmund was a keynote presenter at the 2022 Alberta Colony Educators Conference, with three additional Story Ninja sessions focused on helping young writers find and refine their voices.
Story, reading & writing
Confidence begins
with their own ideas.
Through stories, humour, and practical activities, Sigmund helps students see themselves as readers and writers. Everyday experiences, imagination, and the life they know are meaningful places to begin.
01 · An invitation to begin
Reach reluctant
readers and writers.
Make room for curiosity and enjoyment. Accessible steps help students get started without being embarrassed or singled out.
02 · From speech to writing
Tell it.
Then write it.
Telling a story aloud before writing it down gives students a familiar starting point—and can support learners developing confidence in written English.
03 · Different ages, shared ideas
One room.
Many starting points.
Pacing, vocabulary, examples, and writing activities can be adapted for multigrade classrooms, with ways for younger and older students to participate.
A guest in your community
Every colony
is different.
Listening comes first.
You know your students and your community best. Before the visit, Sigmund works with the local teacher and, where appropriate, the German teacher or colony leadership to understand what will fit.
- Story choices, language, humour, and presentation material can be discussed in advance.
- Video, music, and technology use follow your colony’s guidelines. Low-technology options can be arranged.
- The format and timing can be planned around your school day and community commitments.
The focus is on encouraging literacy while respecting the community’s Christian faith, values, and way of life.
A visit shaped around your students
Good stories.
Useful writing tools.
Plan a shared author presentation, focused classroom writing workshops, or a combination that fits your school.
Explore eight workshop ideas · PDFAn author presentation
Stories, humour, and participation build interest in reading and show students that writing starts with ideas they already have.
Classroom writing workshops
If workshops are part of your visit, choose from eight lesson ideas or discuss a specific writing goal ahead of time. Activities can be adapted to your grades and local expectations.
Books chosen with care
Discuss reading levels, themes, and content preferences in advance so book suggestions suit your students and your community’s guidelines.
Books for young readers—and stories of faith
Many of Sigmund’s published titles are faith-based. He welcomes conversations about which books best suit each school.
Pasture Bedtime
Farmyard humour for young readers, from the Charlie’s Rules series.
Add to your library ↗
Thief of Glory
Winner of the 2015 Christy Book of the Year, the 2015 Christy Award for Historical Romance, and the 2015 Alberta Readers’ Choice Award.
Add to your library ↗Selected stories
Pick your
next adventure.
More stories await
Charlie’s Rules · Animal story
Pasture Bedtime
Order-loving Charlie’s quiet life on a veterinary farm changes when outgoing Amy arrives—and a neighbor’s dog falls mysteriously ill.
Hockey mystery
Rebel Glory
A string of suspicious accidents threatens a star defenseman’s team, playoff run, and dream of turning pro.
Prehistoric survival
Clan
A boy and the saber-tooth cub he rescues face torn loyalties, disaster, and a fight to save what remains of their clan.
Medieval adventure
The Orphan King
Raised behind monastery walls, Thomas leaves to confront a dark order and uncover the truth of his mysterious destiny.
Christy Book of the Year
Thief of Glory
In the wartime Dutch East Indies, ten-year-old Jeremiah must use courage and cunning to keep his younger siblings alive.
Environmental humour · Ages 6–8
Justine McKeen:
Queen of Green
Justine talks a little too much, bosses a little too much, and tackles one environmental problem at a time—with plenty of fun.
Award-winning teen mystery
Dead Man’s Switch
A warning arrives from a friend who died weeks ago, activating a computer program and drawing a teen into a dangerous conspiracy.
Ultra-readable · Wilderness thriller
Trapped
A Yukon teen finds a valuable gold nugget, but his apparent escape route quickly becomes a test of wilderness survival.
Practical details
A few questions,
before we begin.
Can the visit work without videos or music?
Yes. Let Sigmund know your colony’s technology and content guidelines when you inquire. A low-technology approach can centre on spoken storytelling, discussion, and practical writing activities.
Can several grades participate together?
Yes. Share the ages, grade range, and number of students so the session can be planned for your multigrade classroom. Separate workshop groups can also be discussed where helpful.
Can we discuss the material beforehand?
Absolutely. Share any expectations about themes, humour, books, music, images, or technology, and let Sigmund know who should be involved in planning. What works in one colony is never assumed to suit another.
What should we include in an inquiry?
Your colony or school name, location, grade range, approximate student numbers, preferred dates, and any guidelines you would like Sigmund to know. Mention whether you are interested in a presentation, writing workshops, or both.
Ideas to use in your classroom
Keep the writing going.
Explore free printable guides and student writing sheets. Choose the materials that fit your classroom and community.
Start with a conversation
Tell me about
your school.
Share what matters to your students and your community. Together, we can plan a visit that encourages reading, builds writing confidence, and fits your school.
Ask about a colony-school visit