Yesterday, some of the elementary schools students at Vanguard, a Montreal area school for kids with learning disabilities, had a fun surprise. It was Anastasia's birthday and her grandmother Jacqueline turned up with a strawberry cheesecake -- and presents for everyone!
Today I was the surprise! As part of the Blue Metropolis Children's Literary Festival I gave a writing workshop to Vanguard students in Grades 3 and 4. Their teachers are Miss Jessica, Miss Sara and Miss Diane -- and it was easy to see what a warm relationship the teachers have with their students, and vice versa. It helps, of course, that classes are small at Vanguard.
As usual, I rolled through my writing tips and there was time for a writing exercise. But mostly the kids kept me busy with their excellent questions and also their cool stories.
Have you ever heard of an AXOLOTL? I hadn't. But these students are AXOLOTL experts. FYI axolotls are mole salamanders. Destin told us how his two pet axolotls died. Come to think about it, many of the stories the kids told today were about the deaths of beloved pets and relatives.
When I showed the students the journal I write in every day, Jasmin asked, "How do you not get tired of it?" Great question, which nobody ever asked me before. I explained how I'm never the same after the 25 minutes or so I spend writing my journal. I'm always BETTER in some way. I see things more clearly, or I feel calmer, or I have more focus... so that's why I never get tired of journaling. Plus it helps to keep my writing muscles limber!
One of the first pointers I shared was how stories need to include interesting DETAILS. Jasmin did just that when she told us the story of how her cat, Blueberry, had to be euthanized: "someone crocheted a blanket and wrapped Blueberry in it." I don't know about you, but I don't think I'll ever forget that sweet detail. See what words can do?!
A special shout-out to Maggie, Valentina, Hannah, Olivia, Melina, Nova and Destin who were all in perfect note-taking position -- their pens poised to write (or draw!).
When it came time to produce a story, some of the students preferred to draw rather than write. And drawing is another, perfectly good way of telling stories! Grace drew the story of how she crashed her bike because she didn't know how to use her brakes. Maggie drew a lovely picture of a window with a tree, the sun, and grass outside. Because I had told the kids that stories need TROUBLE, I asked Maggie where the trouble was. Her quick answer made me laugh: "The trouble's already there inside. It's my brother!"
When it came time to go, I asked the kids whether I was as good a surprise as strawberry cheesecake. I was really only joking around. But then Maggie called out, "BETTER!"
Here's to words and drawings that tell stories that make us laugh, make us cry, and which we will keep with us always. Thanks to Vanguard for hosting me today, to the teachers for sharing your kids with me, to Blue Met for making the visit possible, and to the kids for... well, just for being YOU!