I’ve been the writer-in-residence for a Calgary elementary school, visiting once a week for six weeks.
First I met with all the kids, doing my usual “I’m a writer and here’s what I do” schtick. Since then I’ve been working with the grade 3s , 5s and 6s, making up stories together, creating monsters, and, most recently, making their monsters speak.
It’s been really interesting seeing the differences between the younger and older writers, and the range within each grade. Some kids leap right in, and write complex stories. Some of the younger ones simply stall, not able to get any words down. Talking it through often helps, or drawing the story as a cartoon, for the visual kids.
I love seeing what the kids come up with – they have amazing imaginations. And I’m particularly proud of the reluctant writers who find a voice. One boy struggled to get anything down at all. Yet he could tell me remarkable things about the planets. I wrote his first two sentences for him, and coached him through a couple more. Then he finally got rolling, and continued on describing Jupiter, his favorite planet, with 63 moons, and how Saturn’s ring is made of rocks. He was articulate and interesting, and surprised us all.
And that’s what makes the effort oh, so worth it.
Maureen
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