“The more you get students involved in activities where they are writing for a real audience and with a real purpose, the more they will see writing as an activity that is necessary, purposeful, and enjoyable,” says Sandhya Nankani, former Supervising Editor, Scholastic Education. “A weekly structure that involves fun writing activities might help students understand and enjoy the social benefits of writing such as sharing stories and learning from others.” Writers Studio equips students to think, write and express themselves fluently while making the right impression.
June 29 to July 2
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT;
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30- 1:00 pm CT
Descriptive Narrative Writing & Public Speaking: Harness the Power of the 5 Senses to Create Impactful Writing
Critical Thinking, Comprehension and Analysis - Students will deconstruct published works to identify the use of the five senses and the word choices that contribute to making a well-written piece.
Writing - They will incorporate what they learn into their own first person narrative essay.They will learn how to enrich and enliven their own writing with details.
Overcoming Writers Block - Students will learn how to overcome writer’s block when they don’t know what to write or where to begin
Punctuation, Editing, Proof Reading - Students will workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
Blogging - Students will create a blog or contribute to one they have during the workshop.
Alternatively, we will explore elements of public speaking
Potentially contribute writing for contests and publication
July 6 to 9
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30 - 1:00 pm CT
New York Times Summer Reading Contest & Public Speaking Workshop. ( Contest only open to middle-high schoolers. Younger student entries will be published on Medium.com)
Comprehension and writing workshop. Using a topic of current interest, students write Letters to the Editors and/or Op-Eds honing reasoning, writing, editing and civic engagement skills. Students learn to convey an opinion concisely.
Overcoming Writers Block - Students will learn how to overcome writer’s block when they don’t know what to write or where to begin
Editing, Proof Reading - Students will workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
Blogging - Students will create a blog or contribute to one they have during the workshop.
Participate in the Summer Reading Contest
July 13 to 16
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30 - 1:00 CT
Critical Thinking and Analysis - Students will use of the five senses and the word choices that contribute to making a well-written piece.
Writing - They will learn how to enrich and enliven their own story with details.
Overcoming Writers Block - Students will learn how to overcome writer’s block when they don’t know what to write or where to begin
Punctuation, Editing, Proof Reading - Students will workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
Blogging - Students will create a blog or create a blog post for one they have during the workshop.
Explore elements of public speaking and being an engaging speaker.
Potentially contribute writing for contests and publication
Text: Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck
Following Weeks: Trumpet of the Swan by Edward Frascino, The Splendid Journey, Charlotte’s Web
Required: A pdf that can be printed or a book they can mark up. Siblings require their own copies. Colored pencils or highlighters.
July 20 to July 23
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30 - 1:00 CT
Persuasive Writing
Students hone comprehension skills, learn the persuasive essay format and use a topic of current interest to write a persuasive essay. Students learn research skills and learn how to distinguish between sources of information.Students strengthen comprehension and critical analysis and comprehension skills. Students learn how persuasive essays differ from first person narratives.
Overcoming Writers Block - Students will learn how to overcome writer’s block when they don’t know what to write or where to begin
Editing, Proof Reading - Students will workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
Blogging - Students will create a blog or contribute to one they have during the workshop.
Explore elements of public speaking
Potentially contribute writing for contests and publication
July 27-30; M-Th
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30 - 1:00 CT
Descriptive Narrative Writing & Public Speaking: Harness the Power of the 5 Senses to Create Impactful Writing
( Modelled on the Common App College Application Essay)
SAT Essay being Evaluated: https://collegereadiness.
Critical Thinking, Comprehension and Analysis - Students will deconstruct the essay, identify the use of the five senses and the word choices that contribute to making a well-written piece.
Writing - They will incorporate what they learn into their own first person narrative essay.They will learn how to enrich and enliven their own writing with details.
Overcoming Writers Block - Students will learn how to overcome writer’s block when they don’t know what to write or where to begin
Punctuation, Editing, Proof Reading - Students will workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
Blogging - Students will create a blog or contribute to one they have during the workshop.
Explore elements of public speaking. Potentially contribute writing for publication or contests
August 3 to 6; M to Th
Ages 8 to 9 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CT
Ages 10 to 12 1:30 - 3:00 pm CT
Ages 12 to 15 11:30 - 1:00 CT
New York Times Summer Reading Contest & Public Speaking Workshop
Using a topic of current interest, students write Letters to the Editors and/or Op-Eds honing comprehension, reasoning, writing, editing and civic engagement skills. Students learn to convey an opinion concisely. Students workshop their writing together to transform their draft into a final version.
We Cover:
Persuasive Writing & Analytical Thinking
Personal Narratives
Journalistic Writing
Descriptive Writing & Analytical Thinking
Letters to the Editor, Op-Eds
Elements of Personal/College Essays
Book Reviews
Differentiate Yourself – A Road Map to Writing Proficiency
Our aspiring elementary and middle school authors use an interactive, multi-sensory approach that makes writing fun and the craft of writing easily learned.
Students strengthen critical thinking and writing skills
Students work on critical analysis, comprehension, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, line-by-line editing skills and critical thinking skills.
Pen book or movie reviews, write essays and stories, and even gain a sense of civic responsibility by writing letters to the editor, or participating in letter writing campaigns for Amnesty International.
Select writing is submitted for potential publication.
High school is all about writing. The more you do it, the better you get.
Essay based approach.
Students work on critical analysis, comprehension, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, line-by-line editing skills and critical thinking skills.
Critique each other’s work, honing their own skills in the process.
Creative writing, persuasive and personal essays included.
Students build an impressive portfolio, create their own blogs and contribute their best work for competitions.