If you read Monday's blog you may remember I was worried about going back to Vanguard School today and not having as much fun with Miss Forlini's Grade 11 students as I had with the class I worked with on Monday. Well, I needn't have worried. These kids were wonderful too! And best of all, we beat my all-time record for writing exercises. We did SIX in all: an observation; a word list; a two word description of yesterday and today; a short piece about a treasured object; a longer piece about a tough moment; and even a book blurb! YAY for all of us. Especially for the students, who enthusiastically agreed to trying one more exercise as I was packing up my book bag!
I have lots of notes from today's visit, so I'm going to share some snippets.
When I arrived, I asked the students (there were nearly 30 of them), "Who wants to write a book one day?" Three -- Mikelina, Carlo and Marek -- said yes. I did say that I hoped by the time my workshop was over at noon more students would catch the book writing bug. Except I forgot to ask. So, if any of you are reading my blog and if I somehow inspired you to consider writing a book too, well then, you'd better post a comment and tell me so!!
A student named Cameron asked a beautiful question: "How does reading make you happy?" So I explained that for me, like for many people, reading provides a safe escape. And when I'm reading something wonderful (I always try to read wonderful books), I get INSPIRED. Wonderful books make me want to stretch as a writer!
Cameron is also responsible for today's longer writing exercise. I was telling the students that they should ask any older people with whom they are close, "What's the hardest thing you ever went through? And how did you get through it?" Cameron wanted to know if that's what I wanted the class to write about too -- and though I hadn't planned on it, I followed his suggestion!
The students wrote some beautiful pieces about a treasured object. For Maxime, who's a cadet, his treasured object is his beret: "My beret allows me to do many things: salute, establish who I am." I find that a strong, thought-full sentence. Jasmine wrote about her earrings: "silver, small, sparkly and round." As I told the class, Jasmine's description uses simple words, but they're just the right words! Jacob wrote about his "big red toolbox" which was given to his grandfather "by his dad when he graduated high school." And Mikelina wrote about the bookmark she received at her grandfather's funeral: "I love having it... knowing he is always there with me."
Sometimes -- and it happened this morning at Vanguard -- I am struck by how finding the right words can bring stories to life and evoke emotions. Which is exactly what the students did in our workshop today.
I'll end today's blog entry with a sweet and creative piece written by George: "I love my shoes. I love them because they protect me. They protect me from glass, sharp objects and living bacteria on the floor." I don't know about you, but I never really thought about shoes that way before! Which shows us another thing good writing can do: teach us to look at ordinary objects or experiences in a new way.
I'm a little bad sad my workshops with the Grade Elevens at Vanguard are over. But guess what? I'll be back at the elementary school in the spring. And I'm definitely going to pop by the high school and check in on Miss Forlini's students.
Thanks to all of you for working hard and being so warm and attentive. You're a special bunch of young people! Thanks Ms. Forlini for the invite -- and for sharing your students with me!