4TH - 6TH GRADES

The author brings her expert knowledge of the writing craft to the classroom. Based on her own writings and teachings as well as those of others, she creates one of the most effective school presentations. The writing workshop is shaped to fit the age and experience of the children who will be in it and to conform to any specific needs of the teacher. The author shows students how to be better writers, from finding and developing their ideas, to working with actual writing techniques through hands-on exercises. A demonstration of the art and importance of feedback follows, including the revision and editorial process.

The workshop concludes with an on-the-spot brainstorming session, showing how an idea goes from a tiny glimmer of a thought to a full-fledged idea ready to be shaped into a piece of writing.

Students are shown how to outline a story idea, and help each other in the revision process. Barbara will leave a sample outline, step by step, for how to plot a story, for the teacher to use after the session for further writing studies.

Note: The book used for this talk, TO BE A WRITER: A Guide for Young People Who Want to Write and Publish, is out of print but may be available from used book stores on and off line.