monique polak

Monique Polak's Books

3 minutes reading time (546 words)

Falling in Love with the Yukon!

The Yukon is out-of-this-world gorgeous and every school I visit seems to bring a fresh adventure. Here's what I mean...

Have you ever walked into a school and been greeted by a hallway full of cross-country skis and boots, and snowshoes? That's what happened to me this morning at Golden Horn Elementary. Here's what I saw:

At Golden Horn, I told the students how I often feel frustrated when I am writing. I said that's when I'm in the "Grrrr stage." Then I asked them what I do next, and a young man named Wyatt answered, "You keep on trying!" Good answer, Wyatt -- and yes, that's exactly what I do... keep on working through the frustration until the writing starts to get a little better.

I had a special treat at Golden Horn. The school principal, Mrs. Close, attended my workshop. How cool is that? And what a great example for her students! Thanks, Mrs. Close, it was fun, and an honour to have you there!

My next stop was Whitehorse Elementary School, where I worked with Madame Crystal's grade seven class. These students were spunky. And they told me some super stories. One had to do with a sweatshirt a student named Sya was wearing. Here's a pic of the sweatshirt to introduce the story...

Being from Quebec, I was curious to learn about this sweatshirt (we writers tend to be curious folks). Well, one interesting detail I learned is that the sweatshirt is signed on the back by Madame Fabulous -- this is the name of a French tutor who worked at Whitehorse Elementary last year. (Could that really be the tutor's real name? In any case, I like it!) But Madame Fabulous didn't sign the sweatshirt for Sya; she signed it for Katie, who has since graduated from Whitehorse Elementary. Luckily for Sya, Katie outgrew the sweatshirt -- and passed it on to Sya, who is her neighbour. Who knew a sweatshirt could tell such an interesting story?

Today's last stop was Hidden Valley Elementary School, where I worked with Mr. Harms's grades six and seven class. Here, I met the funniest student I've run into so far during my trip -- Thomas. I always tell students how I get writing ideas in the shower. So I was saying, "What do you think I bring into the bathroom and put down on the bathroom ledge every time I take a shower?" Of course, I was expecting the answer "Paper and pen," so I had a good laugh when Thomas called out, "Soap!"

I also met a young man who seems to have a serious interest in writing. And when he told me his name, I decided on the spot that it was a very cool name and that I'd try to include it in my next story. Here it is: Tristan Snooks. Just saying it makes me happy. Don't you agree? And Tristan Snooks kindly gave me permission to borrow his name for a future character.

Okay, I gotta run. I'm going to have dinner in a few minutes with my long-lost friend Barbara Reid (see yesterday's blog entry for that story!).

Will try to post another blog entry tomorrow. Can you tell I am falling in love with the Yukon?

 

×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

Wednesday in Whitehorse
Reporting in from the Yukon
 

Comments

Guest - maeve on Wednesday, 07 May 2014 19:02

Hi Monique i just wanted to let you know how much i enjoyed your visit to golden horn.I found your personality refreshing and fun.
Thanks for visiting my school.

Hi Monique i just wanted to let you know how much i enjoyed your visit to golden horn.I found your personality refreshing and fun. Thanks for visiting my school. :)
Guest - jessica H.S on Thursday, 08 May 2014 17:04

Hi, it was very nice to meet you;D


Hi, it was very nice to meet you;D
Guest - Sarah on Thursday, 08 May 2014 20:07

It was so much fun when you came. my friend Iliana is writing a story all because of you!
Yesterday we went to the library together and got out No More Pranks, Home Invasion, Finding Elmo, and 121 Express
My favourite was the 121 Express! I think I might get into writing now.

It was so much fun when you came. my friend Iliana is writing a story all because of you! Yesterday we went to the library together and got out No More Pranks, Home Invasion, Finding Elmo, and 121 Express My favourite was the 121 Express! I think I might get into writing now.
Guest - Nora on Saturday, 10 May 2014 00:37

Thanks so much for coming to our class. I was going to come jog with you but it might seem creepy to my parents and also I live out of town so I couldn't get in. plus I'm not good at waking up early.
Anyhow thanks for coming out to our class. I like how energetic and exciting you were and that you kept getting sidetracked because I do that a lot. You gave some really good tips about writing and since I love writing that was cool. Wow I keep talking and talking, blah blah blah
Thanks again for coming to our class it was really fun.

Thanks so much for coming to our class. I was going to come jog with you but it might seem creepy to my parents and also I live out of town so I couldn't get in. :( plus I'm not good at waking up early. Anyhow thanks for coming out to our class. I like how energetic and exciting you were and that you kept getting sidetracked because I do that a lot. You gave some really good tips about writing and since I love writing that was cool. Wow I keep talking and talking, blah blah blah Thanks again for coming to our class it was really fun.
Guest - Monique P on Thursday, 22 May 2014 13:57

Hi Maeve, Sarah, Jessica H.S. and Nora! Thanks for your comments! I am now home in Montreal, but I AM MISSING THE YUKON. Do you ever live in a beautiful part of our country! Good luck with your writing and stay in touch!! Nora, when I'm back, we must go for an AFTERNOON run!!!

Hi Maeve, Sarah, Jessica H.S. and Nora! Thanks for your comments! I am now home in Montreal, but I AM MISSING THE YUKON. Do you ever live in a beautiful part of our country! Good luck with your writing and stay in touch!! Nora, when I'm back, we must go for an AFTERNOON run!!!
Already Registered? Login Here
Thursday, 12 December 2024

Captcha Image