Coming Into Our Own ...

What a stonking Young Writer session on Saturday! I introduced Vicky as my new assistant and asked her to tell the Young Writers a little bit about herself.  It was very lucky she was there because, with fourteen youngsters in attendance, we had to take up two double tables - which meant Vicky could sit with one whilst I sat with the other.  Also present was Jenny who is linked to the Croydon Literacy Scheme.  Jenny was there to have a look at how we operate because she has invited me to go along on 20th June and present a Writing Workshop for them.  She has said any members of Addiscombe Young Writers are welcome to come along so if you think you and your young wordsmiths would enjoy a different kind of Writing activity, let me know.  The session is on 20th June, 5pm to 6.30pm at the Central Library in Sutton and Jenny will be sending me more info to pass on to anyone interested.

Saturday's session covered report writing again.  We looked at the various topics that would make for good reports, such as pets, hobbies, school, nature, history etc etc and, as usual, the children did not disappoint, putting in their own ideas.  Everyone seemed really fired up and there was a brilliant atmosphere!  The assignment set was to write a book review in time for the next session on 7th May and, as promised, I will absolutely ensure I have a worksheet in place for the Ghost Stories session that day.

Finally, just needed to add something that has been talked about with the library staff which may need further discussion.  The Young Writer group, as you have no doubt noticed,  is absolutely flying at the moment!  We have an average of three new members at each session and at least two enquiries during the course of those sessions from parents who think their children may be interested in joining.  At the moment we are averaging between eight and eleven children per session with occasional weeks - like last week, where we have fourteen or more.  Because of this - and a lot depends on how the next couple of sessions go - we might, at some point, have to  put a cap on the amount of members who can be safely accommodated at the library during each session.  This may mean we need to start a waiting list with strict criteria that once a member reaches eleven, they have to leave in order to make space for a new member.  Now please don't worry about this as it is only being talked about at this point and may not amount to anything.  But health and safety, as I am sure you appreciate, has to be taken into consideration.  I will be having further discussion with the library staff and will keep you informed.  I just wanted to update you on what might be taking place over the next few months.

That aside, I just wanted to say a massive thank you the the library staff, Vicky, Jenny and everyone else for their continued interest in - and support of - Addiscombe Young Writers.

See you on the 7th and Good Writing everyone.

Brief Reminder

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at Ashburton Library for our latest session.  What with family weddings, get-togethers and general exhaustion, I am afraid I did not get another work sheet done in time for tomorrow and because of this, we will stick with report writing for one more week and then we'll move on to a popular story form - the ghost story.  I rarely set a genre for the short stories I urge the children to write so this should prove a good challenge.  And I will ensure I do have a new worksheet available for that session.

See you all tomorrow then.

WOW!!!!

Truly amazing session on Saturday.  Thank you to everyone who came along - including our three Newbies.  We were looking at writing reports and everyone was given a work sheet.  Just to refresh memories - reports feature real life events which are told in a newsy style (and I forgive those members who came up with headlines such as "I Was Bitten By a Vampire" because it just goes to show how active their imaginations are).  But for the actual assignment, the idea is to write about something they have experienced, seen or heard - and some of the ideas that came up included trips to museums and tricks played on April Fool's Day.  Which just goes to prove that even with their fertile imaginations, most of them did grasp the difference between writing a story and writing a report.

In the crazy rush of finishing when the session ended, I completely forgot to send Maddie off on her travels and was somewhat surprised to find her and her diary still in the bag when I got home.  She obviously wanted to come home with me for a change so I guess even little teddies must find too much travelling somewhat tiring!  I am sure she'll be ready to go again when I bring her to the next session which is on 16th April.  And - just in case you missed it, here is a list of the sessions coming up between now and summer: 7th & 21st May,  11th & 25th June, 2nd & 21st July.  We will then finish up for the summer and our first day back will be 10th September.  How swiftly time flies when you're having so much fun!

So see you on 16th, everyone, and keep up the good work!

So Much To Do ....

Sorry I haven't been back in a couple of weeks but I just seem to have so much going on that time runs away with me!  Wanted to remind everyone we have a Young Writer session this Saturday at the library so looking forward to seeing everyone there.  Please don't forget to return your consent forms ASAP  so that I can start to plan the new book.  I really cannot stress how important this is.

This weekend I will be introducing the Young Writers to writing reports.  I would like to show as diverse a range of their work in the new book as possible and this will include book reviews and reports as well as stories and poems.  Each member will be given a Junior Reporter sheet to read and work through which, I hope will inspire them.

Now that the weather is finally improving I am looking ahead to arranging the next Picnic In The Park session so keep an eye out for that.  I am yet to get a response from the fire brigade about the tour of the station so I will chase that up.  I will also find out if the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon has anything on that we could go and see, with a view to getting a back-stage tour again; I know the first group members enjoyed this immensely and it is yet another experience for them to think about.  Finally, how does everyone feel about a trip to the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill?  It is only a bus-ride away and could be a really thought-provoking event so let me have some feedback and tell me if you want me to look into this.

See you all Saturday then and Good Writing ...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ...

Great session Saturday (but then I'd expect nothing less from your talented young wordsmiths) with 11 children in attendance including Shaan who came straight from a drama class to spend the last 20 minutes of the session with us.  Saturday's session revolved around our previous Word Magic book. The idea was for the members to acquaint themselves with the book's contents and also to get a feel for the Author Profile of each of its contributors.

It was brilliant to hear them reading parts of the book out loud to each other and during the course of the session they were also encouraged to practice their own Author Profiles for Word Magic 2.  At the end of the session, the assignment set was for the youngsters to read the first book through at home and then each of them were given their own Author Profile to complete and return on 2nd April. Each member was also given a consent form to take home to their parents.  It is absolutely essential that the parents complete and sign these because without your consent, I will not be able to publish the young writers' work.  The consent form asks you to indicate how you would feel comfortable having your child identified as the author of their featured work.  If you are happy for their full name to appear, that is fine, similarly if you would prefer them to be identified by just their Christian name or their initials.  Whatever your preference, you need to let me know.

The library staff have suggested that it would be lovely to launch the new book at the library and we could in fact make quite an occasion of it, so that has given me something else to think about.  I will fill you in on this after further discussion.

And finally a round of applause was given (and deservedly so) to Amber for achieving her Rainbow Band 2 certificate for which she also received a book "Write Your Own Story Book" which I hope will encourage her further in her writing projects, so Well Done Amber.

With an Easter Egg from the Easter Bunny held firmly in their grasp, the session ended on a high note.  I will see you all again on 2nd April.

Have a lovely Easter break!

Have A Lovely Easter!

Don't forget we have another session this Saturday (19th) in order to allow for the Easter weekend.   After that we will back on April 2nd  In fact here is a brief reminder of forthcoming session dates:
16th April
7th May
21st May
11th june
25th June
2nd july
23rd July
and that will be the last session this side of the summer holidays, we are then back on 10th September which gives me the whole summer to put together the new book so that it is published and on sale by early November at the latest so that people can buy copies to give as Christmas presents.  And because the funding has been put up for the new book, the money raised from the sale of copies can be ploughed straight back into the Young Writers.  It is a Win/Win situation and your talented children deserve it!

Assignment set last Saturday was to copy out the opening and closing sentences from three random books at home to explore the various ways to start and end a story.

Better go now - stuff to do.  See you Saturday.

Saturday Session Coming Up

Don't forget we have a session on Saturday 12th March.  Looking forward to seeing some stories for our brand new book.  Hoping to get our benefactor in for a visit soon so fingers crossed.  He is moving house at the moment so it is unlikely to be this Saturday but I will let everyone know when we are expecting him.

See you Saturday!