Session Feedback ...

Sorry it has taken me a few days to come back to you following last week's brilliant session.  After my five day break last week up near Newcastle, getting back late Friday and getting everything ready for the Saturday morning, I am still trying to catch myself up! 

Good session Saturday.  Had two new members, so big hi and welcome to Sarah and Ines.  There are now eighteen Young Writers on my books and the sessions have settled down to around ten in attendance which is excellent progress.  The theme for the session was Halloween.  We discussed poetry, stories and even creating magic potions,  I also explained to the children that we would be looking at the mechanics of writing as well from now on - working to a deadline and within a word (or line) limit for example, and doing research, looking at other aspects of writing that we have barely touched on - such as writing reports and reviews.   I am not sure how much they grasped, but I will make sure  it is all explained as we go along.  And, of course, that it is fun!

I made a couple of announcements.  The first is that there is going to be a bi-monthly newsletter which I am hoping to start in the New Year.  I have set the children the challenge of coming up with a name for our little publication and asked that they come back with their suggestions next session.  I set the ball rolling with a couple of very basic ideas - The AYW Newsheet and AYW News.  I explained that their titles do not need to actually feature the words Addiscombe Young Writers at all, rather like the group's first publication Word Magic.  One has already suggested something to do with the group mascot Maddie Bear; which is quite appropriate since the Maddie Diary is doing the rounds.  So far she has spent time at Sophia and Mateus's house, Holly's house - and last week Abbie was selected to become her guardian.  Once all the suggestions are in for the title, we will have a volunteer pull the winner out of the hat.  All very exciting stuff!

I also told the members that I am going to create a display book featuring some of their work from the exhibition, which will be available for everyone to look at since I'll be bringing it along to the sessions once it is finished.  That way we will have a permanent record.

With the exhibition over, we are now going to go back to regular assignments.  For the mums, dads and guardians of the recent newbies, I'd just like to reiterate a couple of things.  Firstly, the children do not have to participate in the assignments if they don't want to, or if it is a subject in which they have little interest; however by taking part and handing their completed assignments in, they are working their way through the Certificate Trail, which gives them some incentive, and hopefully, as they progress, a sense of achievement.  All members receive a Blue Certificate upon joining, a Red certificate upon completion of four assignments, a Purple one on completion of eight and a Rainbow one on completion of twelve.  Once they have worked their way up to Rainbow, they go into the next Band of certificates - which differentiate from their original certificates because they will be labelled thus;  Red Certificate - Band Two, Purple Certificate - Band Two and Rainbow Certificate  - Band Two, and so on until they get bored and leave or simply outgrow the group.

The assignment I set last Saturday was for the children to get to grips with doing research by finding out what they can about Halloween - either by going online or by looking in books - and then to tell me what they found out by writing a short report.  If this can be completed by the next session that would be helpful.  And the next session of course, will be on Saturday 8th of November.

Always grateful for any feedback or comments on the blog; you wouldn't believe how much it helps me to plan ahead, so please do not be afraid to get in touch.

See you all on the 8th then.  Good Writing everyone xx

Great Session...

Had a truly excellent session with the Young Writers yesterday!  We went over to our display as an excited little group and there is nothing - and I mean nothing - in the world that can compare to the thrill it gave me to see these children excitedly pointing out their work.  They were kneeling down, crouching, laying on the floor - anything that would get them close to their piece of work so they could read it over and over again.  It was an amazing and, from a purely selfish point of view, emotional moment for me because I can remember how it feels to see your first success right there in black and white (or in colour as most of these are) in front of your eyes.

After a photo call we all went back to our table and I asked them to describe how they felt seeing their work on display.  I took some interesting photos of them bent of their notebooks as they fervently scribbled away.  As they finished one by one, I suggested they make the most of the rest of the session writing whatever they wanted to because, as I explained, when we start the sessions after the exhibition, it will be back to assignment sheets and a much more structured approach.  I have in fact, started planning the sessions already but more on all that another time.

Once again I want to thank you all for your support of the group and the feedback and I especially want to thank the library staff for facilitating us because if it wasn't for them, I am not sure the group would be gaining such momentum!

The next session is on October 25th, so see you then - and a huge well done to all the Young Writers - they are amazing!

Looking Great ...

Hi everyone.  Two quick mentions coming up.  Firstly don't forget we have the next AYW session tomorrow at the library 9.30 - 10.30, so looking forward to that and hope to see you there.  Secondly - drum-roll please - the exhibition of work is all up.  If you are passing the library today, pop in and have a look; I think you'll be impressed.  The screens are chock-a-block crammed with the work of your talented children!  I spent almost two hours over there yesterday afternoon getting it all set out and I came away feeling chuffed!   We will all go over  tomorrow to have a look during the session - I am bringing my camera - so make sure you bring yours!
See you tomorrow then!