Working from example texts, writers will look at several techniques for strengthening the concept, structure, and language of their written work. Students will learn what questions they’ll need to ask themselves in revising and editing, and receive helpful handouts on common errors to look for.

The second week of class will be a “hands-on” editorial workshop, where participants will improve actual texts that they are currently writing—stories, poems, schoolwork, letters to the editor, or other creative projects.

The classes for the two age groups have a similar structure and advocate similar processes, but the high school class assumes a more advanced level of writing.

Encouraging Young Writers: For Parents & Educators of Children in Kindergarten–6th Grade

Do you want to encourage your elementary school writer? Whether he or she is reluctant or avid about writing, this workshop will provide information on how to:

We’ll provide handouts and a bibliography. Hands-on activities will give participants some perspective on what children experience while learning to write. Plenty of time for Q&A!

Let’s Write

In this enrichment class students will approach writing as an amazing tool for exploring their worldviews and developing their minds.

Each session is designed to nurture and add to the strengths of each young writer by experimenting with a variety of methods used by adult authors. Participants will learn to keep various types of journal entries to support the writerly habits of observing; using clear, vivid language; and thinking deeply. Each student will develop an individual writing project and edit it for a final celebration.

The rich writing experiences offered in this course will give students the confidence to write on their own as well as the tools they need to succeed.

Wayside School of Writing

By examining how good writers create, students can learn how to write their own effective stories.

In this workshop, everyone will study Louis Sacher’s techniques in his Wayside School stories:

Students will then combine those elements with their own experiences of what is weird in everyday education to write silly chapters in the life of an American school. Participants should have read at least one “ Wayside School” book and should know who Louis, Mrs. Jewel, Miss Mush and Mr. Kidswatter are, so that they will never have to write their name on the board under the word “DISCIPLINE!”

Teen Slam Team

Slam poetry is poetry spoken and performed in a variety of crowd-pleasing formats.

Participants will study the art of the spoken word and "slam" through pieces performed by the instructor and video excerpts from professional slam poets from the famous Nuyorican Café and Def Poetry Slam.

During the course of the workshop each student will develop at least one original piece or personal adaptation of an existing text using the group's feedback and encouragement, and learn to perform together as a “team.” Our slam team will then lead off a performance and open mike at a community venue!

Whether you were born to slam or just want to put more life into your presentation skills, everyone in this workshop will be on your team! Performances will be taped for the purposes of feedback.

Young Writers’ Fiction Club

If you’re a young writer developing all the skills that make your favorite writers great, you can get support and encouragement in the Young Writers’ Fiction Club.

Have fun with observing the world closely using all your senses. Hear the way people really talk. Play with language, sound, and rhythm. Exercise your imagination.

Students will study how writers hook readers from the beginning, create reader interest, and give satisfying endings. We may even decide to revise and edit our best work for contests or publication! In the end, everyone will have a chance to read aloud to friends and family in a café atmosphere.

February & April School Break Writing Fun

Even in Rochester, where spring’s hand can be hard to see, spring is going about its creative work, pushing the sap up the tree in preparation for its great imaginative burst.

Should children be sitting on the couch all week? Give them a break to write creatively!

Earlier drop off or later pick up can be arranged.

February Writers’ Camp: February 21–25

Word on the Street

Grades 4–6
WY5-N2D5
Five Full Days, 9 am–3 pm
$160 W&B members / $176 general public
Limit 12
Instructors: Reenah Golden & Shabaka Collier

In this journalism workshop students spend the week developing articles for print. News teams will beat the streets in an attempt to uncover and report on new happenings in the Neighborhood of the Arts.

Students read and critique articles from popular magazines, City and the Democrat and Chronicle. Each participant will work on a story as an individual or as part of a team.

At week’s end, we will use the Lit Lab computers to layout and publish a small neighborhood chronicle for shops and cafés in the area.

Puppets!

Grades 1–3
WY5-D1C5
Five Full Days, 9 am–3 pm
$170 W&B members / $189 general public
Limit 12
Instructors: Jeremy & Brenna Sniatecki

Do you love Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch? Do you like to talk through strange creatures perched on your hands? Puppets are a great way to create characters and make up stories!

An initial show by the instructors will serve as an example for diving into the magic of puppetry. Participants will then practice lip-synching techniques and puppet theatrics while building their own unique cloth hand puppet to keep.

The week will close with a show put together by the participants and their puppets, demonstrating elements learned in the classes.

Spring Writer’s Camp: April 18–22

Drama Dream Team

Grades 4–6
WY5-D3Q8
Five Full Days, 9 am–3 pm
$160 W&B members / $176 general public
Limit 12
Instructor: Marna Rossi

Become a member of a team of authors/actors who will create stories about the legendary deeds of heroines and heroes.

Listen to ancient Native American stories and visit the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Search your own dreams and imagination to find a legend or myth.

Your story can be in the form of a play or of epic-style poetry. You can add movement and music. Students will make papier mâché masks for the characters in each story. Add gesture as you tell your story or act it out with a team. Become a legend in your own time!

Youth Programs

Basics of Revision & Editing

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both