Class

The Writer's Playground (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:
SCRAPBOOK POETRY
(for ages 9 to 11, with Dralandra Larkins)

It all starts in a notebook, right? We will dive into a river of words, imagery, metaphors, and creativity. This series encourages curious beginners of all backgrounds to share their imagination and creativity using their unique voices in the form of performance poetry known as Spoken Word. Students will develop their own original poetic style by creating a poetry scrapbook, including a collection of their poems across various forms — from contemporary free-verse to Haikus. They will perform their works, enhancing their understanding of poetic expression and visual art integration. Students will create a clay sculpture, a painted plant pot, a bookmark, and a finished tote bag to visually symbolize their poetry. In the final class, young writers will have the opportunity to perform and share their writing at The Loft's Open Book Performance Hall. Expect to be exposed to poetry in a non-traditional way and nudged out of your usual language as you venture into verse.

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:
HELP! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE!
(for ages 9 to 11, with Holly Day)

Did you ever sit down to write a story and realize you have no idea how or where to start? We will explore dozens of ways writers get their creative engines revved up and moving, from exercises in basic character formation and development to creating vivid scenes and scenarios for your characters to live and participate in. By the time this class is over, you'll know how to make yourself start writing and keep writing.

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