2012 Writing Wizards Lineup
Writing Wizards workshops, for students in grades 2-8, will meet each Saturday from January 28 through February 25, 2012, and are limited to 15 students per workshop. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the deadline for registration is Friday, January 13th.
Participants may register and pay online with PayPal or by downloading the
registration form and submitting it to Thurber House by fax at 614.280.3645
or by mail to Thurber House, Writing Wizards, 77 Jefferson Avenue,
Columbus, Ohio 43215. Register only one child per form.
Registration for the 2012 Writing Wizards program is now closed. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for any of the following classes or would like to receive additional information, please contact Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org.
Grades 2 & 3
Mad Scientists-A Laboratory for Story Creation with Sylvia Jackson
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Think of creative writing as a science and you’re in the lab, working on a groundbreaking project, something the world has long been waiting for. Can you imagine the outcome? But what if the experiment doesn’t go as planned? Explore the worlds of science and science fiction, as you become the ‘mad scientist’ of your own tale.
Animal Stories from Aardvarks to Zebras with Jan Williams
12:30-2:00 p.m.
Using vivid language and details that engage all five senses, you’ll write stories and poems about your favorite animals--real or imagined. Start with a family pet and work your way to a creature only you could have created. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have made a virtual zoo that you can nurture long after the classes are over.
Grades 4 & 5
Enter the Exciting World of “Warriors” with Linda Forte-Spearing
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
“You cannot live with a paw in each world.” That’s the idea behind Erin Hunter’s wildly popular “Warrior” series about a domestic cat trying to survive in the wild. In this workshop, you’ll explore the Warriors world and create a story from an animal’s perspective.
So You Want to Be a Writer! with Paul Hammock
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Discover the basics of craft so you can tell that story that’s been brewing in your imagination. In this workshop, you’ll learn about techniques of narration and dialogue; character creation; even how to expand your vocabulary to use the best, most descriptive words. By the end of the workshop, you’ll know what makes a story a page-turner.
Grades 6, 7 & 8
The Amazing Writing Race with Sarah Magill
1:00-3:00 p.m.
The popular TV show, "The Amazing Race" is being adapted in this class that will have you traveling to places near and far, using your powers of observation at a series of pit stops where clues will provide opportunities to write in a variety of genres including poetry, stories, even travel logs.
Attack of the Killer Plot Device with Kathy Matthews and Dan Mushalko
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Learn about the many times Earth has been invaded by outside threats. (What, you missed all the alien armies?!) Invaders can be large ("War of the Worlds") or small ("Andromeda Strain"), shapeless ("The Blob") or shambling ("World War Z"). Invasions can happen in worlds populated with dragons ("Dragonfall") and orcs ("Lord of the Rings"), as well as ordinary humans. We’ll delve into these fascinating tales to figure out why we love them and how believable they are in terms of science and logic. Then you’ll work on your own invasion plot, making your amazing story as plausible—or fantastical—as these other well-known tales.
About Our Teachers
Linda Forte-Spearing is a published author, a Thurber Summer Camp teacher, and chair of the 2012 Dublin Proud Writing Contest.
Retired Duxberry Park teacher, Paul Hammock is a frequent instructor at Thurber House.
Sylvia Jackson has been teaching children to write for over 30 years. She is currently a teacher at Indianola.
Sarah Magill is a journalist by trade and a children’s writer at heart. She has been published in national, regional, and local publications, and loves teaching at Thurber House.
Kathy Matthews is a freelance writer and Dan Mushalko is general manager at WCBE radio. Together they are the dynamic duo of writing workshops.
Jan Williams is a retired Columbus City Schools teacher and principal, and loves to work with aspiring young writers.
