Class

Magical Worlds of Wonder (for ages 9 to 11)

Welcome to the Loft's Summer Youth program at Open Book! Join us for 4 days of writing and creativity!

SESSION 1:
FAIRY TALES, MAGIC, AND BOOKMAKING: WRITE YOUR OWN STORY
(for ages 9 to 11, with Marie Olofsdotter)

Explore the timeless territory of magic as you write your own myth-inspired fairy tale! Students will work to create hair-raising adventures for a main character on a magical journey to save a troubled world. Along the way, the character will encounter menacing villains and mystical beings.

Students will invent their own settings, characters, and plot, then create a real book — a classy hardcover accordion book to house their story.

This class is perfect for anyone who loves to write, loves magic, and likes bookmaking.

Students will discover the adventures as they go along, uncovering new twists in the plot every day. The sessions are constructed using fairy tale archetypes. Students create a main character—a hero/heroine who goes on a classic Hero’s Journey. Within this format, everyone can express their unique literary vision.

LUNCH & ENRICHMENT:
We'll break for lunch with more activities that will inspire us to express ourselves while having fun! We may explore Gold Medal Park to seek creativity outside the classroom! Please bring a packed lunch.

SESSION 2:
POEMS FOR PEACE
(for ages 9 to 11, with Ellen Fee)

Poetry can help us imagine a better future. In this class, we'll use poetry to express our dreams for a different world. We'll learn about poets and artists who use their voices for peace and justice, and we'll write our own poetry to share with our communities.

Students will study examples from real poets and artists, like Lucille Clifton, Joy Harjo, and Naomi Shihab Nye. We'll write our own poems and learn how to use poetic forms and literary devices to make our words more powerful. We'll also explore different ways of getting our words out into the world, like zines, posters, and performance.

Students can expect to write about topics that are meaningful to them, listen to others’ ideas, read the work of famous poets, work on writing and art projects, and practice sharing their writing with others.

Aspiring writers, grab your notebooks and pens, and let’s write at the Loft!