Write LOTS!: Blue Metropolis Visits Mackay Centre School

It's a big week in Montreal for literature lovers! That's because the Blue Metropolis Literary Foundation has kicked off its annual literary festival. And lucky me, I get to be part of it. There will be loads of readings and activities for adults and kids too, and I'm visiting two schools as part of the children's festival. I'm just home from Mackay Centre School, a special ed school I've been to many times and which has come to feel like home. And tomorrow, expect another blog entry from me after my visit to Vanguard School.

I should start by telling you that the principal of Mackay Ms. Margetis USED TO BE MY STUDENT. When, at the end of today's workshop with the Grade 4's, I told the students this they PRACTICALLY FAINTED!! Also, they were very impressed!!

After a quick hello and hug from Ms. Margetis, I headed to Room 115 where I met Ms. Broywyn and Ms. Dimple's students. (I may have to use the name Ms. Dimple in a book!!) The kids were enthusiastic from the start. I had told them to expect a writing (or drawing) exercise and Tate kept asking, "What are we going to be drawing?" Victoria told me, "I want to write AND draw!" 

You may have noticed the title of today's blog entry is "Write LOTS." Let me explain where that came from. The students were helping me put my writing tips on the whiteboard. Tip #1 was "Write" but apparently Minnie heard me say it was important to write A LOT. So she added LOTS to my tip -- and I love it!

Also, when I told the students I'd be giving them a mini-writing workshop, Minnie nearly jumped out of her seat. "My name's Minnie!" she told me.

I explained that we'd cover five writing tips -- and guess what? I think we ended up doing ten, and maybe even twelve!! 

I also explained how stories need TROUBLE and how it's fun (and useful) to ask the question, "What if?" So together we came up with a story about a goldfish. Zen-luka suggested our goldfish should jump out of its bowl. Everen suggested we do CPR on the goldfish in our story. And Abraham suggested the goldfish could jump into the toilet. Great work, kids! Because that story has trouble, and it's also funny and gross! All of these are characteristics sure to appeal to young readers.

A special shout-out to Cassadine who told me his name and then added, "Nine letters." That inspired many of us to count the letters in our own names. Cassadine beats me because Monique only has seven letters!

We ended our session with a mini-MINNIE writing (or drawing) exercise. Victoria started work on an excellent creepy story about a ghost named Lana "who died in the school." And Zen-luka wowed me with his writing, and allowed me to share the first line of his story with you. Ready? "To survive a falling elevator lie back on the ground." DOESN'T THAT MAKE YOU WANT TO KEEP READING?!!

I'm a little sad today's visit to Mackay is over. The sun came out while I was there, and even if it gets cloudy, I'll still feel the sunshine from today's visit. Thanks to all my friends at Mackay, and to Blue Metropolis for making today's visit possible.

PS: I forgot my phone, but Ms. Bronwyn will be sending me some pics later so I can add them to this blog entry.