Writers Workshop: Storytelling as a Tool for Vibrant Writing (1-5)
Overview
| Program Description: |
Loosely based on Columbia College"s Writers Workshop, I bring classes some the best writing strategies form some 40 years teaching and performing as a storyteller/musician. Sessions are spun with enga... Read more
Loosely based on Columbia College"s Writers Workshop, I bring classes some the best writing strategies form some 40 years teaching and performing as a storyteller/musician. Sessions are spun with engaging, age appropriate activities that guide students through spoken word into a joyful writing experience. I encourage students to try, with passion, courage and playfulness and help them to see that they have everything inside them to create beautiful, funny, touching personal, fictional, or non-fictional narratives. In a phone collaboration with teachers we choose either a broad based writers workshop or one specific part of the writing process that could use a boost. My aim is to draw forth the spirited energy that will help students craft that part of their narrative. A sample "playshop" starts with modeling the main goal, continues with a quick warm up activity, then we explore the main content area, and end by teaching a simple fun trick (Why a trick? It creates little connection from school to home and acts as an entree into a discussion about our writing process). Here is quick sampling of 5 possible workshop area in a Personal Narrative Unit. GENERATING IDEAS: We jump start a personal narrative unit by collecting a sack full of "seed moments" from the treasure box of our lives. SHAPING THE FRAMEWORK: We use a cast of listeners (stuffed animals), to help shape our stories into a creative graphic organizer. WRITING GREAT LEADS: We strive to write leads that will grab hold of our readers/listeners and launch them into wonder of our stories. REVISING: We "relive" key moments from our stories and aim to stretch them out with tiny juicy details. SHARING OUR STORIES: We learn to use our facial expressions, gestures, and inflection to read our writing with gusto.
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| Available to Grade(s): |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Logistics
| Program Format: |
In-School Workshop |
| Cost Per Student: |
$10 |
| Number of Visits: |
1 |
| Length of Visit: |
60 min minutes |
| Availability: |
All year. |
Requirements
| Length Info: |
Visit length can vary from 45 to 90 minutes upon request. However, 60 minutes or more is preferred for each visit. 60 minutes or more is more conducive for a meaningful, fun visit. It also allows for... Read more
Visit length can vary from 45 to 90 minutes upon request. However, 60 minutes or more is preferred for each visit. 60 minutes or more is more conducive for a meaningful, fun visit. It also allows for a bit more of my own storytelling, warm up activities that lay the groundwork for my "playshop", writing/creating time, reflection activities, body breaks, tricks and games.
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| Program Requires Prior Meeting: |
yes |
| Meeting Method: |
Phone, Email |
| Materials School Provides: |
Up to 5 pages of copying per student and up 20 pages per teacher. This is negotiable and we can get by without these copies if need be.Paper on which to write/draw Pencils sharpened an... Read more
Up to 5 pages of copying per student and up 20 pages per teacher. This is negotiable and we can get by without these copies if need be. Paper on which to write/draw Pencils sharpened and ready to write OR One computer per student
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| Space and/or Set Up Requirements for Program: |
Classrooms as they are are usually fine (Sometimes a little movement of furniture will help). |
Learning Standards
| Curriculum Focus: |
English Language Arts |
| Art Form: |
Theater |
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