The grand kids are taking a creative writing class after school. They refer to it using a strange acronym, YAC. I have yet to see just what it stands for. I've just been having fun teasing them with it. Saying silly Grandpa things like, " Do you have to go to the Nurse ? " I heard you had to YAC. Funny stuff, eh? " Don't YAC on your papers. "
Last Friday was Grandparents day at the elementary school, and like every year I was there. My wife had gone first thing in the morning and I joined her later in the day. We took turns being with each child. One in the third grade and the other in fifth. Got our picture taken,too. A yearly ritual. We are blessed with wonderful grand kids and excellent students. It is always nice to hear good things about them from teachers and administrators alike.
The daily routine they follow is quite a change from what I did as a kid. The work is more difficult and challenging I think.
I agreed to stay after school and go to their YAC class. The teacher gave them a large handout, almost a small book itself. She then explained they were to write a novel in thirty days ! The children were stunned. Write a book in thirty days ? Holy Cow ! She then explained that by using the handout it was possible. But that it was going to require a commitment on their part. A promise to write a certain number of words every day beginning November 1st and continuing until the 30th.
After the initial shock the students became excited about the possibilities.Their novel could be about anything they wanted. It was to contain pictures that they drew as well. This was going to be fun. A little competitive spirit started to appear when they were asked how many words their novel would contain. A minimum of 2500 words is required. They were saying things like five thousand and six thousand until the teacher reigned in some of that exuberance. She showed them on a chart how many words they would have to average daily to reach their goals. More realistic word counts followed.
In that pamphlet there are instructions on creating characters and plot. Daily worksheets and suggestions. It is quite a challenge. I am most interested in how this works out. Mark is in the fifth grade and quite the writer. He does have an active imagination. His artwork leaves something to be desired. Morgan is in the third grade. A little young to be expected to write an entire novel I think. Her artwork is excellent however. This ought to be good. It is a lot more work than either of them realize. And quite a bit more difficult. But then,one never knows. Maybe it is just the inspiration they need.
I think it is a wonderful thing. The teacher donating their time to work with the kids. Providing them the opportunity to be more creative. I can't wait to read their Novels. They are supposed to not let anyone see them until they are finished. Good luck with that one !
Last Friday was Grandparents day at the elementary school, and like every year I was there. My wife had gone first thing in the morning and I joined her later in the day. We took turns being with each child. One in the third grade and the other in fifth. Got our picture taken,too. A yearly ritual. We are blessed with wonderful grand kids and excellent students. It is always nice to hear good things about them from teachers and administrators alike.
The daily routine they follow is quite a change from what I did as a kid. The work is more difficult and challenging I think.
I agreed to stay after school and go to their YAC class. The teacher gave them a large handout, almost a small book itself. She then explained they were to write a novel in thirty days ! The children were stunned. Write a book in thirty days ? Holy Cow ! She then explained that by using the handout it was possible. But that it was going to require a commitment on their part. A promise to write a certain number of words every day beginning November 1st and continuing until the 30th.
After the initial shock the students became excited about the possibilities.Their novel could be about anything they wanted. It was to contain pictures that they drew as well. This was going to be fun. A little competitive spirit started to appear when they were asked how many words their novel would contain. A minimum of 2500 words is required. They were saying things like five thousand and six thousand until the teacher reigned in some of that exuberance. She showed them on a chart how many words they would have to average daily to reach their goals. More realistic word counts followed.
In that pamphlet there are instructions on creating characters and plot. Daily worksheets and suggestions. It is quite a challenge. I am most interested in how this works out. Mark is in the fifth grade and quite the writer. He does have an active imagination. His artwork leaves something to be desired. Morgan is in the third grade. A little young to be expected to write an entire novel I think. Her artwork is excellent however. This ought to be good. It is a lot more work than either of them realize. And quite a bit more difficult. But then,one never knows. Maybe it is just the inspiration they need.
I think it is a wonderful thing. The teacher donating their time to work with the kids. Providing them the opportunity to be more creative. I can't wait to read their Novels. They are supposed to not let anyone see them until they are finished. Good luck with that one !
No comments:
Post a Comment