Arthur E. Wright – Like “Coming Home!”
I sure love visiting Arthur E. Wright school. I’ve been doing so ever since “Lights! Curtains! Cows!” hit the shelves to read, do mini-writing workshops, and meet the awesome students of this fantastic school!
I was thrilled when I learned that I would be in residency at Arthur E. Wright for a WHOLE WEEK – hurray! I worked with four amazing classes in total, each one developing a unique creative writing project.
Among the Grade 6’s, one class was working on a picture book manuscript based on a wonderful book about facing one’s fears – the metaphors and imagery that you students came up with to bring your writing to life was breathtaking. Furnaces became fire-breathing monsters, loud noises were compared to the eggs of large prehistoric animals cracking in two – yep! You fired my imagination every day!
In another class, we worked on original short stories. Of course, some of you decided to begin writing novels, with intriguing prologues and shocking twists – to which I say, way to go! This was the classroom where, in collaboration with your very creative teacher, we decided to try story boards. Let me tell you – not only did this class do an amazing job plotting and planning, this activity has become a favourite activity in residencies since – so I thank you for embracing this technique and giving me some great ideas along the way.
Among the Grade 4/5’s were more short stories – of epic imaginative proportions! This group impressed me with amazing powers of concentration and focus – incredibly important skills for creative writing. You could hear the pencils scratching against the paper – I think I even heard the snap and crackle of your imaginations while you were hard at work (or, maybe that was just my breakfast cereal…hahaha!). This group was also terrific at helping one another out, and giving one another encouragement and helpful feedback. Always a pleasure to join you each day!
Last but certainly not least, a group of Grade 4’s knocked my socks off with their stories based on the “Diary of A…” series. If you don’t know this book series, it’s not only super-funny, it’s based on real-life animal research. Well…let’s just say these students had a knack for coming up with super-funny events for their animal characters, and…THEY LOVED DOING RESEARCH – not only in class, but at home, too! I can still see the pages and pages of notes you brought in from home to bring your character webs to life. You all did a wonderful job, and I encourage you to keep that love of research and investigation alive along with your creative writing skills. How wonderful to have such a thirst for knowledge!
I had a wonderful time at Arthur E. Wright – thank you to teachers, staff and students for an excellent residency. I wish you all a great year. Keep on reading and writing!
Karin
