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Loosely inspired by Columbia College’s Writers Workshop and shaped by 40+ years as a storyteller, musician and arts educator, this hands-on experience brings students into the writing process throu... Read more

Loosely inspired by Columbia College’s Writers Workshop and shaped by 40+ years as a storyteller, musician and arts educator, this hands-on experience brings students into the writing process through spoken word, movement, and imagination.

Sessions are filled with age-appropriate, high-energy activities that aim to build confidence, spark creativity, and make writing a little bit more joyful for each student. John aims to help young people to understand how they are their own most important teacher—Encouraging them to try with passion, courage, and playfulness—Helping them to see they have within them everything they need to create meaningful, funny, beautiful, or heartfelt personal, fictional, or nonfiction narratives.

In a pre-visit phone call, teachers and I collaborate to tailor the workshop for their classrooms. You can choose:
• A broad-based Writer’s Workshop, introducing “habits of a great writer” through playful practice and light writing
Or
• A session that focuses in part on one specific stage* of the narrative writing process—best if your class is already working on a narrative and could use a creative boost

Workshops run between 45 and 90 minutes and are designed to meet students where they are, helping them move forward in their writing with determination, energy and joy..

* Here’s a quick sampling of five possible focus areas in a Personal Narrative unit:
• Generating Ideas
We jump-start the writing process by gathering a sack full of “seed moments” from the treasure chest of our lives—tiny memories ready to grow into stories.
• Shaping the Framework
Using a cast of listeners (often stuffed animals!), students shape their stories into a creative graphic organizer by first telling them aloud, then drawing and adding subtitles to each key moment—like “First,” “Then,” “Next,” “After that,” and “In the end.”
• Writing Great Leads
We aim to write openings that draw the reader or listener into the world of our stories with curiosity and excitement.
• Revising with Juicy Details
We “relive” key moments in our stories and expand them using vivid sensory details that bring the writing to life.
• Sharing Our Stories
We learn how to present our writing aloud using facial expressions, gestures, and vocal energy—building confidence and highlighting each student’s unique flair.

I will come ready need only a few minutes to get ready and to transition between classes.Slight longer workshops allow for a bit more of my own storytelling, warm up activities that lay th... Read more

I will come ready need only a few minutes to get ready and to transition between classes.

Slight longer workshops allow 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.

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

With the support of my classmates and teachers....I will write a narrative in my own unique voice that has a series of naturally unfolding events.Through drama and storytelling... Read more

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

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

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

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

I will read with passion, courage & playfulness so that the listeners can understand my story and fully enjoy my writing.