Reader, writer, artist, eater of pizza.
Young Essay-Writer University...
Remember last year's writing assessment prompt? Remember how it made you jump and squee with joy because you just couldn't wait to dive into the essay for 90 minutes? Yeah, me neither. Because those essays are the W-O-R-S-T. Luckily, I've got some really good tips I'm willing to share with you all that'll help get your writing brains fired up for this year's writing test. No matter what essay you have to write--narrative, persuasive, or informative--after hearing what I have to say, you'll be ready to stare that prompt down without so much as a single blink of hesitation.
This 45-minute workshop is designed for the whole classroom, specifically grades 3-5.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3
Seeing, hearing, and even smelling your stories...
Warning! This workshop is only for the brave and slightly shameless. No, I'm just kidding, but there'll be a lot of volunteering as tribute for this one. I'll be teaching students how those incredible sensory details can really add the get-up-and-go to a piece of slightly couch-potatoish writing. But in order to do that, they'll need to be ready to hear some odd sounds, taste some unusual foods, and, yes, even smell some wacky scents.
This 45-minute workshop is designed for the whole classroom, any and all grades welcome.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3
Writing: two parts typing, one part acting...
Calling all impressionists, theater buffs, directors, and goofballs! If you've ever thought writing is a silent activity...you are SO wrong. Some of the best writing that you read gets acted out way before it ever hits the page. This workshop will get you out of your seat while it teaches you how you can use those acting chops to pump up your writing so that it jumps off the page and right into the HOLY COW THIS IS AWESOME part of your reader's brain.
This 45-minute workshop is designed for the whole classroom, any and all grades welcome.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3
Creating "lightning bolt" characters...
I'll warn you now. What we'll do in this workshop is going to seem totally bizarre. As we steal your teacher's interactive white board to draw a completely boring character, you'll be thinking, "How in the Netherworld is this going to help me create a really interesting character that people will want to read about?" And then we'll add one simple thing and you'll go, "Oh...I had no idea this was going to work!" Of course, some of your thoughts may vary a little, but I'm willing to let that slide. Especially since you'll have a completely original ready-to-be-written-about character in front of you.
This 45-minute workshop is designed for the whole classroom, any and all grades welcome.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3
Publishing Q&A...
Writing a book is a weird and windy path of dos and don'ts. This workshop is designed to give students a chance to ask all the questions they might have about the publishing industry. I'll begin by telling them about my experience, starting at the idea stage and take them through to where I am today. No question will go unanswered because if I don't know it, I'll be sure to find out and send it as soon as I do.
This 30-minute workshop is designed for the whole classroom or large groups, specifically middle and high school.