AWCS Youth Programs
in the Classroom
Want the Alexandra Writers' Centre Society to come to your School, Youth Group, or Literary Event? Want to have some fun while still staying on curriculum? Well you've come to the right place. We have just the thing whether you're looking for an one off workshop, a full day, or full week residency. We even have entertaining and educational showstoppers for your event. In a nutshell, we make writing fun!
Writing Workshops
hosted by Kim Firmston
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND LEARNING TO LOVE WORDS
(60 – 90 minutes. Perfect for large groups. Appropriate for All Ages)
In this workshop we will search for stories in different types of media like greeting cards, video games, and history. We will find ways around obstacles like dyslexia, ADHD, and other disabilities and challenges which stop us from enjoying words. Then, as a group, we will create an epic live action story (or two) which will become the stuff of legends, proving that anyone can be a writer.
Before and after workshop activities.
ACTION!
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for Junior High and High School)
Action scenes are some of the hardest things to write. It's difficult to explain what's happening, keep the tension high, and maintain that heart stopping drama. In this workshop we will discuss what makes a great action scene, learn how to create an action character, and find ways to translate movement into written action. Then, as a group, we will create a few fast-paced, live action scenes of our own.
Before and after workshop activities.
WORD MAGIC
(multi-day workshop OR pick the skills you want your class to learn in a 60-90 minute session. Appropriate for All Ages)
Wizards! Wield wild words. Learn all the spells! Make time stop, rewind, slow down, speed up, and skip ahead. Cause scenes to turn monochrome, two-tone, black and white, and psychedelic. Deplete the senses with blindness, deafness, pas touche, tastelessness, and olfactory negation. Cast the duck in the oven spell and say nothing while saying everything! Mirror scenes with NO MIRROR! Learn these and other word spells that you can cast to the amazement of your friends, family, and editor. (The ministry of literature is not responsible for any magical mayhem which may result from this course. Regular unicorn restrictions apply). Enjoy it now – Word Magic! Coming to a classroom near you!
TOOL BOX
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for All Ages)
Students will explore genre, character, plot and senses. Together they build a writer’s toolbox that can be used for any type of story from stage play, to short story, to video game script, and much more.
WRITE A MICRO-MINI NOVEL
(60-90 minutes. Grades 4-12)
Learn all about the structure of a novel or short story while creating a tiny novel of your own. Study genre, setting, and how characters (both protagonist and antagonist) push the plot forward. Each chapter is another concept, and although the novel is short, it is a full story from beginning, through rising action, to climax, to finish.
STORYTELLING OFF THE PAGE
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for Kindergarten to grade three)
This workshop is for the beginning writer who has not yet learned to read or write to those just getting a grasp on this crucial ability. By learning to tell their own stories, kids will get practice in storytelling while exploring senses, character, and description. They can then take the stories they create and put them onto the page and read them to their friends and family. What a great way to get kids hooked on reading and writing!
PITCH IT!
(Available in a multi day workshop or a 60-90 minute class. Appropriate for High School students who are looking for the next step).
Have you ever dreamed of the big leagues? Do you want to see your movie up on the silver screen, your graphic novel in the local comic book shop, or your book in Chapters? Have you ever seen a movie trailer or a commercial and thought, "I can do that"? Well now’s your chance. In this fast paced class you will learn to sell, sell, sell! Be it in an elevator or with a full submission package, learn how to pitch any form of writing from scrips to prose to poetry. Try your hand at selling your own unique product. By the end of this class you will be a pitch expert and ready to sell your stuff to the world!
WORLD BUILDING (How to Amp Up Your Descriptions)
60-90 minutes. Appropriate for Junior High and High School students)
The world we live in has more than just sight and sound, so why shouldn't your fictional world? In this workshop learn about different types of locations such as the metallic world of a spaceship, the mud and blood of the battle field, the steam and coal of steam punk, and much more. Learn how to pump up your descriptions to draw your reader in, tell time and set emotion with setting, and show what has happened without saying anything at all.
PLAY WITH YOUR WORDS
(90 minutes, Appropriate for Teachers, Librarians, Parents, and Youth Leaders)
Play expands understanding, keeps attention, and improves lesson memory. Plus, it’s fun. Learn to captivate your elementary and teen students by turning lectures and ideas into hands on activities which stretch their imaginations, engage their minds, and make specific learning points into games and goals.
(60 – 90 minutes. Perfect for large groups. Appropriate for All Ages)
In this workshop we will search for stories in different types of media like greeting cards, video games, and history. We will find ways around obstacles like dyslexia, ADHD, and other disabilities and challenges which stop us from enjoying words. Then, as a group, we will create an epic live action story (or two) which will become the stuff of legends, proving that anyone can be a writer.
Before and after workshop activities.
ACTION!
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for Junior High and High School)
Action scenes are some of the hardest things to write. It's difficult to explain what's happening, keep the tension high, and maintain that heart stopping drama. In this workshop we will discuss what makes a great action scene, learn how to create an action character, and find ways to translate movement into written action. Then, as a group, we will create a few fast-paced, live action scenes of our own.
Before and after workshop activities.
WORD MAGIC
(multi-day workshop OR pick the skills you want your class to learn in a 60-90 minute session. Appropriate for All Ages)
Wizards! Wield wild words. Learn all the spells! Make time stop, rewind, slow down, speed up, and skip ahead. Cause scenes to turn monochrome, two-tone, black and white, and psychedelic. Deplete the senses with blindness, deafness, pas touche, tastelessness, and olfactory negation. Cast the duck in the oven spell and say nothing while saying everything! Mirror scenes with NO MIRROR! Learn these and other word spells that you can cast to the amazement of your friends, family, and editor. (The ministry of literature is not responsible for any magical mayhem which may result from this course. Regular unicorn restrictions apply). Enjoy it now – Word Magic! Coming to a classroom near you!
TOOL BOX
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for All Ages)
Students will explore genre, character, plot and senses. Together they build a writer’s toolbox that can be used for any type of story from stage play, to short story, to video game script, and much more.
WRITE A MICRO-MINI NOVEL
(60-90 minutes. Grades 4-12)
Learn all about the structure of a novel or short story while creating a tiny novel of your own. Study genre, setting, and how characters (both protagonist and antagonist) push the plot forward. Each chapter is another concept, and although the novel is short, it is a full story from beginning, through rising action, to climax, to finish.
STORYTELLING OFF THE PAGE
(60 – 90 minutes. Appropriate for Kindergarten to grade three)
This workshop is for the beginning writer who has not yet learned to read or write to those just getting a grasp on this crucial ability. By learning to tell their own stories, kids will get practice in storytelling while exploring senses, character, and description. They can then take the stories they create and put them onto the page and read them to their friends and family. What a great way to get kids hooked on reading and writing!
PITCH IT!
(Available in a multi day workshop or a 60-90 minute class. Appropriate for High School students who are looking for the next step).
Have you ever dreamed of the big leagues? Do you want to see your movie up on the silver screen, your graphic novel in the local comic book shop, or your book in Chapters? Have you ever seen a movie trailer or a commercial and thought, "I can do that"? Well now’s your chance. In this fast paced class you will learn to sell, sell, sell! Be it in an elevator or with a full submission package, learn how to pitch any form of writing from scrips to prose to poetry. Try your hand at selling your own unique product. By the end of this class you will be a pitch expert and ready to sell your stuff to the world!
WORLD BUILDING (How to Amp Up Your Descriptions)
60-90 minutes. Appropriate for Junior High and High School students)
The world we live in has more than just sight and sound, so why shouldn't your fictional world? In this workshop learn about different types of locations such as the metallic world of a spaceship, the mud and blood of the battle field, the steam and coal of steam punk, and much more. Learn how to pump up your descriptions to draw your reader in, tell time and set emotion with setting, and show what has happened without saying anything at all.
PLAY WITH YOUR WORDS
(90 minutes, Appropriate for Teachers, Librarians, Parents, and Youth Leaders)
Play expands understanding, keeps attention, and improves lesson memory. Plus, it’s fun. Learn to captivate your elementary and teen students by turning lectures and ideas into hands on activities which stretch their imaginations, engage their minds, and make specific learning points into games and goals.
HAVE RIO COME TO YOUR EVENT
CHOPPED WRITING CANADA - The Game Show
(Fits to your schedule needs - Appropriate for all ages, Event-style entertainment)
Contestants play fun art and writing based challenges in this game show style entertainment. Win "fabulous" prizes and have a blast watching or participating in such games as Three Things, Show Down at the Shakespearean Corral, Blindfolded Drawing, and Draw That. Main stage games as well as audience participation Flash Challenges. It will be a surefire way to get your guests engaged and having a blast.
(Fits to your schedule needs - Appropriate for all ages, Event-style entertainment)
Contestants play fun art and writing based challenges in this game show style entertainment. Win "fabulous" prizes and have a blast watching or participating in such games as Three Things, Show Down at the Shakespearean Corral, Blindfolded Drawing, and Draw That. Main stage games as well as audience participation Flash Challenges. It will be a surefire way to get your guests engaged and having a blast.
NEED SOMETHING ELSE?
CUSTOM MADE CLASS
Let RIO know what you need and we can pitch you a great class tailored just for your students.
Let RIO know what you need and we can pitch you a great class tailored just for your students.
HOME SCHOOLED
You can still have the RIO experience! Get your friends together and visit us in our classroom. We can teach groups as small as four and as big as twelve.
You can still have the RIO experience! Get your friends together and visit us in our classroom. We can teach groups as small as four and as big as twelve.
For program pricing and other information, please . . .