Creative Writing Seed Journals, a Beginning Writing Workshop Camp

(Please note that class will be canceled without a minimum of 2 learners enrolled.) 

During these small group classes, I will read aloud a story, poem, or reading selection to highlight a particular writing style or technique. Students will be given a writing prompt to help get their creative juices flowing. Students will write during class time and are encouraged to share their writing with their classmates during our “Author’s Chair” time at the end of class.  Any shared responses during class will receive encouraging comments and gentle questions to help guide revisions.  Students who are uncomfortable sharing in class are welcome to share throughout the week in the classroom. I may offer to read their writing aloud during the next class if they are reluctant to share. 

We’ll kick off the class by creating our “seed journals” -- our idea books that will become the play and workspace for our ideas as we explore writing creatively. Student writers are encouraged to share drafts of their writing with me through shared Google documents as we revise our works. 

During this 5-hour class, students will work on the following activities:                           
Create their Seed Journals (composition books) for writing ideas 
Write Six-Word Memoirs  (and longer memoir pieces)                                                                                                               
Create a Memory Map
Complete a Mining-the-Heart page       
Write “After” Poetry based on a poem by Langston Hughes 
Write ekphrastic poetry
Write found poems
Participate in our Author’s Chair (when the student is ready)
Add to their Seed Journals every session

Please note that no makeup sessions or refunds for missed classes will be offered, but learners are welcome to view the video recording of a class that was missed. If an emergency arises requiring me to miss class, I will either reschedule a convenient time for all participants or issue a prorated refund for that class.  (Heaven forbid-- though it's never happened before now!)