Albuquerque: Free Mid-High Writing Classes Fall 2007

Homeschool Writing Club Reforming!
Free Writing Classes
Creative Writing (6 weeks)
Technical Writing I (4 weeks)

If your kids are going into grades 6-9 and like to write, or if they
are motivated to improve your writing for upcoming tests like the
SAT or ISS, these free classes may be for your family! These
classes are free and open to those who are interested in having a
good time while expanding their writing skills. However, if writing
is a struggle or `chore' for your kid, this is probably not the
right club at this time. If you are interested, call or email early
to register! Chris: 306-1866 or chrislanter4@yahoo.com.

In the past, we have had a great deal of fun using drama, games, and
our favorite books as we learn new tools and techniques to expand
the ways we express ourselves. This is not a lecture-style class
but rather an interactive class where participation will be
required. Each week a new topic is discussed and then explored with
games, drama, and verbal practice. At the end of each class,
writing homework is then assigned to further practice the techniques
learned in class.

There are no fees for any class, but a commitment is required. I ask
that if you sign up for either session, you are willing to commit to
either the entire 6-week or 4-week session and to the 1-2 additional
hours of homework required each week. The class size is limited and
I will strongly discourage anyone from starting in the middle. The
homework will be turned in each session to check if the material was
understood, but there will be no tests and no grades. Some people
say that if I don't charge money or give out grades, people won't
take this learning opportunity seriously, but let's prove them wrong!

Parents and older siblings are welcome to bring your own writing and
participate! However, please do not bring younger children to sit-
in, for they will be distracted by our drama and then we will be
distracted by theirs. If there are younger siblings, please
entertain them outside or elsewhere so our writers may concentrate
on their own self-expression.

This first session (creative writing) will run for six weeks,
starting August 22nd and ending September 26th. Each class will be
on Wednesdays, from 3:00 to 4:25 on Albuquerque's East side. The
second session, technical writing, will run for four weeks, from
October 3rd to October 24th. The technical writing class will be a
pre-requisite for the free computer-based web writing class next
Spring.

I am also asking that parents sign a permission slip so that their
student's images can be used on our future website. (The website
will be created and maintained by members of the writing club next
spring.) This permission isn't required for the class, but if not
granted, the student may be asked to step out of the pictures now
and then. Feedback is encouraged at any time and I will ask for
anonymous feedback at the end of each class to improve it. If you
think you'd be interested in the Homeschool Writing Club, don't
hesitate to register!

------------- OUTLINES OF EACH CLASS FOLLOW -----------------

Creative Writing Session

Homework to bring the first day: Please bring one of your favorite
writings from any author (book, magazine or print-out) to share, and
bring any short (one-page or less) story you've written to turn in.
If you don't have one handy, just write a very short story about
something that happened to you.

Week 1: Introductions
Writing shares your world
Beginning a story: Characters, setting,
& that very first sentence
Story Intro Game
Our favorite characters
Character development
2-dimensional vs. 3-dimensional characters

Week 2: The body of the story
Plots- The skeleton that moves the action
Tone Coat Game: "Dressing" a plot with a tone
Setting: Placing our story's feet on the ground
Tone, setting, and words to convey emotion
Tone Coat Game, expanded

Week 3: Putting meat on the bones
Making comparisons: similes, metaphors and hyperboles
Layers of meaning: Choosing words, names and metaphors
Getting loud! The use of senses in the stories
Action: Use of movement
Non-verbal game & use of non-verbals in writing

Week 4: Coming to conclusions
Setting Game: A role-playing game
Setting for reader expectations
Setting for tone or message
Puns vs. punishment: Over-using tools
Roles vs. role models
Who/what influences us (and our characters)?
How do our characters come to their decisions?

Week 6: Conclusions and closings
Packaging the story and tying those loose ends
Conclusion Game: Different conclusions to same story
Finishing what we start! The end of the never-ending story
Proof-reading and re-writing: A lesson from Mark Twain

Week 6: Sharing our stories
Daily use of creative writing
Sharing our stories with others
Contests and getting it in print)

------------------- OUTLINE OF CLASS FOLLOWING ----------------

Technical Writing Session

This class will require access to a computer and an email account
for the homework assignments. For the fourth week, I will be
bringing in as many computers as possible and would appreciate
knowing if you have access to a laptop that you could bring. This
class will be a pre-requisite for the web writing class being
offered next Spring.

Week 1: The five-paragraph essay
Making a statement and proving our points
An argument game: Convincing them of your point of view
(Uh-oh, parents!)
Outlining essays-making it easy
Effective conclusions: Sell them what you told them


Week 2: Scientific writing
The scientific method
Sharing your own science vs. a report
The `How-To' game: Not as easy as it sounds
Writing for the audience
Written essay vs. presentation
Referencing your work: Citing sources

Week 4: Journalism
Perspective game: Different points of view
Perspective and propaganda
Being aware of biases, both ours and others
Balanced reporting vs. `unbiased' reporting
Interviewing skills
Writing your interview: Quote vs. reiteration
Referencing third-party quotes

Week 4: Using the computer
Word processor basics: Know your tool
Internet safety
Print vs. screen: Differences in media require
different styles of writing
Text vs. hypertext: The uses and abuses of web
links in writing
Referencing web sources

If you are interested, call or email early to register!
Chris: 306-1866 or chrislanter4@yahoo.com.

Happy Homeschooling!
:) -Chris