Writing Residencies
What is a Writing Residency?
A Writing Residency is a multiple-day involvement using story telling to inspire and guide student writing based on the premise that…
Story Telling is a natural and effective springboard to Story Writing. Storytelling provides students with a model for the rhythm, flow and organization of language. Students exposed to traditional story structure through Storytelling, encounter a powerful tool for creating, writing, editing, and telling original stories. When students verbalize story ideas and organize a story orally or “tell it”, they can “hear” the parts of the story that flow in sequence or make sense, and they can also “hear” the parts of the story that sound confusing or disorganized. Following the initial “telling” of their story ideas, students will plan and create a rough draft. Writing mechanics, revision, and editing, with emphasis on essential writing benchmarks and state writing standards will results in the final draft of an original story.
Bringing a Different Voice….To Assist with Writing Goals
As a former teacher, and now as a writing consultant, my greatest intention is to support the writing and language goals you have already established for students, by providing a new and different voice, and a slightly different approach to writing through the Art of Storytelling. I am familiar and current with several of the writing curriculum, including Six Traits and Lucy Calkin’s Writer’s Workshop, and I will incorporate the terminology and theory in my workshops, to support what you are already trying to introduce and make familiar to your students. My job is to assist you!
Video – Listen to how Jenifer discovered the Power of Storytelling to ignite excitement and improve student’s writing.
What Does a Writing Residency Involve?
The Residency experience will begin with a Storytelling Performance. During the Performance, I focus on audience participation and model the type of stories we will be telling or writing during the workshop time. The Performance will motivate students and excite them about our time together. It also allows me the opportunity to initially connect with students and begin to mold expectations for the workshops.
The length and involvement of the Workshop Time will depend upon:
- how many classrooms you wish to involve
- grade level of the classrooms involved
- your desired outcomes for the Residency
- the number of days available for instruction
- your daily schedule, school logistics, and budget
Each Residency can be designed to fit your school schedule and desired outcomes. We can discuss options when we begin the planning process.
Residency Choices
Residencies can FOCUS on several genres including, but not limited to:
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See Turning Points™ for specific Residency on Personal Narrative
Students will be instructed in…
- Pre-writing or Idea gathering activities that involve individual students, pairs, or groups and focus on solid beginnings and endings, interesting details, descriptive words, and giving a “voice” to characters.
- Story Planning Techniques ( brainstorming, mapping, diagramming, telling)
- Rough Draft or “Sloppy Copy” requirements
- Revision and Editing or “Tweaking” techniques to be performed individually, with partners, and as a whole group, orally and written.
- Final publication, or Storytelling performance options
During a full week Residency
I offer the option of an Evening Performance to give students a chance to “Showcase” their work in front of family and friends. This opportunity at the end of the week, builds importance and excitement for the end product.
Intended Residency Outcomes
- Students will see Professional Storytelling modeled in a traditional and interactive way, using a variety of stories from many cultures to motivate the writing process.
- Students will be familiarized, or re-familiarized with the many story types or genres available to them in literature.
- Students will review and understand story structure, and the elements that all good stories require according to current, grade level rubrics or chosen writing curriculum.
- Students will have the opportunity to participate in pre-writing and planning activities conducted individually, in pairs, or in groups, that will prepare them for the writing process.
- Students will write an original story in rough-draft form, with the goal of editing, revising, and creating a final draft. Options will be offered for possible outcomes after final drafts have been completed, including learning the art of Storytelling or a public performance of original work for students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and interested community members.
Before the Residency Begins…
Prior to the Residency, staff will be sent Pre-visit Materials and a letter explaining the Residency. Whenever possible, I like to meet with staff a month or more before the Residency to discuss writing goals, desired outcomes, and other details that will make our time together as productive and useful as possible. If a pre-visit meeting is not possible, then other methods of communication can be use to set Residency goals.
Post-visit ideas and evaluations will also be available. I want to join you in your effort to accomplish the language and writing goals that you have set for your students.
“If they can tell it ... they can write it! If they tell it many times, students begin to orally edit and refine their stories ... adding needed details, and finding a path that leads from a solid beginning, to a reflective and meaningful end.” --Jenifer Strauss