Had a great Session 2 with the Young Writers yesterday! All five of those from Session 1 two weeks ago did return - I am delighted to say - and two new members came along as well! They all seemed to settle very quickly to the task in hand - which was to write a short report on their favourite books, story or TV show. As before I was on hand to help out if they got stuck, and I had taken along a selection of my own published books for them to look at for ideas. All five from Session 1 handed in their completed assignments which I shall go through over the next few days. And I have also thought of a much better system for myself to keep tabs on where they are on the Certificate Trail and this information will be available for the children or their parents to look at if there is any confusion about where they have got to. Don't forget they need to hand in four completed assignments to get their Red Certificates but - and this is also important - they do not have to do the assignments given to them if they don't feel like it. It might be several sessions before they manage all four but once they do, that is when the Certificate will be awarded. I wanted this to be the way it works because I am very anxious for them not to confuse the Writing Group sessions with schoolwork. The whole idea is that they write because they want to because that is when they will be at their most spontaneous - so mums and dads, please do not worry too much about it if they don't always want to join in. Naturally once competitions are introduced they will have closing dates to work to but at this point in time, it is very important that the enjoyment factor is retained. Thanks for your support in this!
At the end of the session I handed out the Blue Membership Certificates and it is important these are kept safe - maybe even displayed in their room or somewhere in the home - so that they can be proud of what they achieve. The assignment set was to write about a hobby they particularly enjoy and hopefully, by the next session, I will have a list of what we will start tackling from April onwards, which I can hand out to the parents at the end of the next session. And, as I said yesterday, please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions on this blog because I want us all to get the very best out of this group and your input is very welcome! Finally I can confirm the next session will be on 5th April and the following sessions will be:
12th April
26th April
3rd May
17th May
31st May
14th June
28th June
Please note that the two April ones are close together to accommodate Easter which falls on the weekend of the 18th when I am actually away for a few days - as many of you possibly are, too. Generally the idea is two sessions a month - or as close to fortnightly as possible.
The library staff are being incredibly supportive in all this and at the moment we are already considering an exhibition of the children's work later in the year - then maybe next year - if all goes well - we can look at another book showcasing their talents.
So thank you to all the young writers for coming along and to all you parents for bringing them and waiting so patiently. Have a lovely couple of weeks and I will see you on the 5th! And keep an eye on this blog just in case anything else comes up.
Sunday 23 March 2014
Wednesday 12 March 2014
FANDABIDOSY!!
Hello and welcome to the first blog post for the new era of Addiscombe Young Writers! Our relaunch session at the library on Saturday went really well! Sitting in the library at some specially reserved tables, I watched as one by one, people began to trickle over. I was so pleased to receive four new members and to welcome back, for the first half hour anyway, Alessandro - one of the "old boys". The whole setting, the ambiance, being able to sit next to the Young Writers one at a time if they got stuck, being in a Book place, full of - well - books - with millions of words whispering silent welcomes all around us - it was just magical.
So a big welcome to the new members and their mums and dads and - as promised (albeit a little later than I had planned) - here is the feedback, plus a little information about the way the group works. Firstly, I thought we would get off to an easy start. I wanted to just get the children actually writing so I pretty much gave them a free rein. When one youngster got stuck, I wrote her name in her notebook and asked her to put a word to each letter. In no time they were almost all trying this exercise, just playing with words, seeing them as something to have fun with and I could see their confidence building up as the minutes ticked by. It was hugely rewarding! At the end of the session I handed out Assginment Sheets and asked them to write down what they would like to get out of this group, and do at future sessions, and to bring those back to the next session. I will then bring them home and read through them and make appropriate comments, as well as take any suggestions on board to carry forward where possible.
When I first started this group, I was not at all sure how to hold the collective attention of a group of aspiring young authors so that they did not get bored or feel like they were back at school. I eventually hit on two ways to keep their interest and I am carrying these over as the new era begins. Firstly I will reiterate that I am not a teacher. I am a writer and I love to write. I also love to inspire children to write and I did not feel that there was a lot about to encourage them in Creative Writing outside of school. So in order to monitor their progress, the Two Stars And A Wish system of giving constructive feedback was initiated. Each time I read a piece of their work, I will attach a slip with two positive comments on it (the stars) and one piece of constructive advice (the wish). And they are of course free to talk to me if they are not sure what I mean or if they have any questions.
I also thought it would make sense to reward the Young Writers some how by giving them something tangible that they can feel and touch and know they have earned - so the Certificate Trail was born. The children receive a Blue Certificate just for joining. After four completed assignments, they receive a Red Certificate. After eight completed assignments, they receive a Purple Certificate and the creme-de-la-creme is the Rainbow Certificate which is awarded on completion of twelve assignments. If after that, the children choose to stay I have started a Band system so that their next Red Certificate will be their Band One Red Certificate. This differentiates it from the first Red Certificate but is still awarded for remaining focused, producing work and meeting deadlines - rather like the different coloured belts people work towards in Judo or Karate.
Once we are settled into a routine, I will then start introducing the competitions (including any I find that specifically targets this age group) and eventually Guest Writers. We have also done other things to expand on their experience - like writing in the park on a sunny day or going on a theatre trip - but that will all come in time.
Finally I just wanted to say thanks again for coming and that the next session is on Saturday 22nd March, same time (9.30), same place (Ashburton Library) and I look forward to seeing you there.
Good writing everyone.
So a big welcome to the new members and their mums and dads and - as promised (albeit a little later than I had planned) - here is the feedback, plus a little information about the way the group works. Firstly, I thought we would get off to an easy start. I wanted to just get the children actually writing so I pretty much gave them a free rein. When one youngster got stuck, I wrote her name in her notebook and asked her to put a word to each letter. In no time they were almost all trying this exercise, just playing with words, seeing them as something to have fun with and I could see their confidence building up as the minutes ticked by. It was hugely rewarding! At the end of the session I handed out Assginment Sheets and asked them to write down what they would like to get out of this group, and do at future sessions, and to bring those back to the next session. I will then bring them home and read through them and make appropriate comments, as well as take any suggestions on board to carry forward where possible.
When I first started this group, I was not at all sure how to hold the collective attention of a group of aspiring young authors so that they did not get bored or feel like they were back at school. I eventually hit on two ways to keep their interest and I am carrying these over as the new era begins. Firstly I will reiterate that I am not a teacher. I am a writer and I love to write. I also love to inspire children to write and I did not feel that there was a lot about to encourage them in Creative Writing outside of school. So in order to monitor their progress, the Two Stars And A Wish system of giving constructive feedback was initiated. Each time I read a piece of their work, I will attach a slip with two positive comments on it (the stars) and one piece of constructive advice (the wish). And they are of course free to talk to me if they are not sure what I mean or if they have any questions.
I also thought it would make sense to reward the Young Writers some how by giving them something tangible that they can feel and touch and know they have earned - so the Certificate Trail was born. The children receive a Blue Certificate just for joining. After four completed assignments, they receive a Red Certificate. After eight completed assignments, they receive a Purple Certificate and the creme-de-la-creme is the Rainbow Certificate which is awarded on completion of twelve assignments. If after that, the children choose to stay I have started a Band system so that their next Red Certificate will be their Band One Red Certificate. This differentiates it from the first Red Certificate but is still awarded for remaining focused, producing work and meeting deadlines - rather like the different coloured belts people work towards in Judo or Karate.
Once we are settled into a routine, I will then start introducing the competitions (including any I find that specifically targets this age group) and eventually Guest Writers. We have also done other things to expand on their experience - like writing in the park on a sunny day or going on a theatre trip - but that will all come in time.
Finally I just wanted to say thanks again for coming and that the next session is on Saturday 22nd March, same time (9.30), same place (Ashburton Library) and I look forward to seeing you there.
Good writing everyone.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Almost There ...
Just a few days left till the Young Writer group begins again. I can hardly wait! Thanks to Louise - sorry to see the talented Caitlin and Daniel go but wish them every success in their future writing endeavors. I have sent their work back to you - along with the signed book for Caitlin. Good luck to the whole family.
I will continue updating this blog on a regular basis as long as the group calls for it
- and - as we move into the new era, I would just like to thank you all for helping me to pioneer this group back in 2012. I couldn't have done it without you so now; let's just see where it goes!
As promised here is the link to the BBC I mentioned in the last post -
www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities
If you go on there you will find a list of competitions etc. I am not sure how often they run the childrens' competition but it will probably be worth keeping an eye on it. If I come across anymore links, or if I hear of anymore competitions, I will let you know.
In the meantime, whether your children come back or not, don't be afraid to keep in touch. It would be a privilege for me to hear how well they are doing!
Good writing!
I will continue updating this blog on a regular basis as long as the group calls for it
- and - as we move into the new era, I would just like to thank you all for helping me to pioneer this group back in 2012. I couldn't have done it without you so now; let's just see where it goes!
As promised here is the link to the BBC I mentioned in the last post -
www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities
If you go on there you will find a list of competitions etc. I am not sure how often they run the childrens' competition but it will probably be worth keeping an eye on it. If I come across anymore links, or if I hear of anymore competitions, I will let you know.
In the meantime, whether your children come back or not, don't be afraid to keep in touch. It would be a privilege for me to hear how well they are doing!
Good writing!
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