LOADING...

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

Classrooms as they are are usually fine (Sometimes a little movement of furniture will help).

With the support of my classmates and teachers....

I can write a narrative in my own unique voice that has a series of naturally unfolding events.

Through drama and storytelling games, I can imagine the world of my characters and create text that helps a reader/listener see what I imagined.

I can revise my narrative to make it even better with text that is full of life.

I can read with passion, courage & playfulness so that the listeners can understand my story and fully enjoy my writing. I can identify and strive to build habits that lead to many positive creative writing/living experiences.

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 base 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 areas 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.

Yes! Absolutely!! The more caregivers involved, the more one to one listeners, the more ideas drawn forth from the students, the more that caregivers understand a writers process and can support their children outside of school.