Arts & Entertainment
Aspiring Authors Discovery the World of Fantasy
Children learn to express themselves and improve their writing skills though the free Aspiring Authors program at the Stratford Children's Library.
Once a month, Children’s Librarian Caitlin Augusta meets with “Aspiring Authors” between the ages of 8 and 12 years old in the Stratford Children’s Library.
Children engage in various creative exercises, which not only give them an opportunity to practice their writing, but offers the children an opportunity to express themselves through various forms of writing.
A theme is selected for each meeting. Books are chosen to emphasize the theme as well as spark the children’s writing process. Excerpts from Savy (a New York Times bestseller and Newberry Honor Book by Ingrid Law) and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (Chris Van Allsburg) have been read to introduce the concept of ‘fantasy.’
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The children begin the class with an ice-breaker activity, which Ms. Augusta explains, “helps to jog the children’s imaginations and begin the story writing process.”
Music has proven to have a positive influence on creativity. As such, Mozart and Enya (among others) are played while the children write. Not only does this help to stimulate their writing, but it introduces the children to another form of expression.
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Throughout the class the children are introduced to new words, concepts and tools of writing – such as a thesaurus. Children then practice using the new words and tools they have learned while in the “Aspiring Authors” program in their own writing and at school.
Julie Francois decided to join the class, as she “likes to write poems.”
Julianna Glick enjoys “writing mystery stories.” Both of these aspiring authors will have the opportunity to practice their favorite aspects of writing, as well as be introduced to other forms of writing by attending the monthly Aspiring Authors program.
Ms. Augusta asks that the children maintain a writing journal. The goal is to self-publish the children’s works at the end of the program.
The program began in September 2010 and plans to continue through Summer 2011. New participants are welcomed.
The meeting schedule for this class and other free library programs are available through contacting the Stratford Children’s Library and on the stratford.patch.com calendar.
