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Youth Online Program 2013
A series of fifteen (15) online interactive workshops—twelve (12) sessions for primary school and three (3) for high school students. Please click on the workshop title for full details of each individual workshop, and on the tutor name for his/her biographical details.
Primary School
| Day | Date | Time | For | Tutor | No. | Workshop Title |
| Wednesday | May 8 | 9:30 am | Primary School | Lesley Sly | 1 | Making a Story Map. |
| Tuesday | May 21 | 9:30 am | Upper Primary School | John Heffernan | 2 | Guided Story Writing: Session 1. |
| Tuesday | May 21 | 10:30 am | Upper Primary School | John Heffernan | 3 | Guided Story Writing: Session 2. |
| Tuesday | May 28 | 9:30 am | Upper Primary School | John Heffernan | 4 | Guided Story Writing: Session 3. |
| Tuesday | May 28 | 10:30 am | Upper Primary School | John Heffernan | 5 | Guided Story Writing: Session 4. |
| Wednesday | June 12 | 9:30 am | Primary School | Fiona McDonald | 6 | Denizens of Faeryland. Part 1. |
| Wednesday | June 12 | 10:30 am | Primary School | Fiona McDonald | 7 | Denizens of Faeryland. Part 2. |
| Tuesday | June 18 | 9:30 am | Years 3-6 | Sophie Masson | 8 | Magical Characters. |
| Tuesday | June 18 | 10:30 am | Years 5-8 | Sophie Masson | 9 | Inspired by... |
| Wednesday | July 31 | 9:30 am | Under 10-year olds | Miles Merrill | 10 | What's a Metaphor for? |
| Wednesday | July 31 | 10:30 am | Over 10-year olds | Miles Merrill | 11 | Going Viral. |
| Tuesday | August 13 | 10:30 am | Upper Primary School | Bronwyn Parry | 12 | Seeing Through Your Character's Eyes. |
High School
| Day | Date | Time | For | Tutor | No. | Workshop Title |
| Wednesday | May 8 | 10:30 am | High School | Lesley Sly | 1 | The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. |
| Wednesday | May 22 | 9:30 am | High School | Felicity Plunkett | 2 | English Extension 1: Imaginative Writing. |
| Wednesday | May 22 | 10:30 am | High School | Felicity Plunkett | 3 | English Extension 2: Possibilities Assemblage. |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 1 (Primary School) | ||
| Tutor | Lesley Sly | 
|
| Date | Wednesday 8 May | |
| Time | 9:30 am | |
| Title | Making a Story Map. | |
| Description | We’ll be making a map on the smartboard, a visual design for a storyline plot with characters, events. | |
| Learning Outcomes | Children will learn how to plan a creative project, combining imagination, logic, organisation. | |
| Requirements | Pens for writing on the smartboard, and pens for making notes in exercise books. | |
| Delivery | Video-conferencing and smartboard. | |
| Online Interactive Workshops Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Upper Primary School) | ||
| Tutor | John Heffernan | 
|
| Sessions | Four Sessions, each 45 minutes
Session 1: Tuesday 21 May (9:30 am) Session 2: Tuesday 21 May (10:30 am) Session 3: Tuesday 28 May (9:30 am) Session 4: Tuesday 28 May (10:30 am) |
|
| Title | Guided Story Writing. | |
| Description | This is a four-part creative writing program for upper primary. There will be four workshops in which students are led through the process of producing a story from start to finish.
The workshops focus on four key aspects of story-writing: (1) Opening the story and setting the scene (2) Character development, interaction and effective use of dialogue (3) Description, suspense and action (4) Editing–polishing that gem until it shines The program is intentionally prescriptive, especially in the first three workshops. Students are deliberately directed at key steps along the way. For instance, the story plan is set, almost down to individual paragraphs. In some cases opening sentences for paragraphs are even provided. The number of characters is limited to two, and complications are restricted to keep the story simple but effective. |
|
| Learning Outcomes | This guided approach allows the students to realise two critical achievements: (1) to focus on the techniques of story-writing dealt with in each workshop; and (2) to establish a solid base for their story. At the end of this program they should have written a well-planned story which they can then further edit and adapt to reflect their individual creative flair. | |
| Requirements | Students need writing materials, preferably draft books. At some point, especially by the editing stage, it is recommended that students work their stories on computer. This makes editing much easier. | |
| Delivery | I use a combination of smartboard and video-conferencing. Much of the program is delivered using a Power Point presentation. I also like to have students read out pieces for feedback purposes if that can happen effectively. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop Nos. 6 + 7 (Primary School) | ||
| Tutor | Fiona McDonald | 
|
| Sessions | The two sessions in this illustration workshop are each 45 minutes with a short break in between, same students in each session. The workshop is suitable for a broad age group, we leave it to teachers to decide on the mix of younger and older pupils (see Description below).
Session 1: Wednesday 12 June (9:30 am) Session 2: Wednesday 12 June (10:30 am) |
|
| Title | Denizens of Faeryland. Parts 1 + 2. | |
| Description | Fairies are delicate little people with butterfly wings who grant wishes to those who catch them, correct? Not necessarily. The realm of Faery is also dark and dangerous and nothing is what it seems. This workshop carries the students away into the world of goblins, trolls, banshees and boggarts, kelpies, selkies, elves and fairies. | |
| Learning Outcomes | The outcome of this illustration workshop will be to have a greater understanding of Celtic folklore, building a vocabulary of ideas and images for use in further writing and art projects. | |
| Requirements | A4 paper, pencils and coloured pencils or black felt tip pens. | |
| Delivery | Smartboard and videoconferencing. I like to draw directly onto the smartboard as I deliver the workshop. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 8 (Primary School, Years 3-6) | ||
| Tutor | Sophie Masson | 
|
| Date | Tuesday 18 June | |
| Time | 9:30 | |
| Title | Magical Characters | |
| Description | For Years 3-6.
The workshop focuses on creating good characters for fantasy stories—characters that aren’t human but that need to feel real. Will use my novels such as Boggle Hunters and the Thomas Trew series as a starting point. |
|
| Learning Outcomes | Creating believable fantasy through good characters. | |
| Requirements | Students need writing material. And their imaginations! Would be great if classes had been exposed to some of the books mentioned above, but not essential. | |
| Delivery | Short introductory talk, then we’ll concentrate on creating three different fantasy characters, with students interacting with me through the smartboard and video-conferencing. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 9 (Primary School, Years 5-8) | ||
| Tutor | Sophie Masson |
|
| Date | Tuesday 18 June | |
| Time | 10:30 am | |
| Title | Inspired by... | |
| Description | For Years 5-8. The workshop focuses on using existing stories as inspiration to create your own: from traditional fairytales and legends to actual novels. I’ll be referring to recent novels of mine such as Moonlight and Ashes (inspired by Cinderella) and The Romance Diaries: Ruby (inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma). | |
| Learning Outcomes | Creating original, exciting work inspired by existing material; updating and transforming traditional themes. | |
| Requirements | Students need writing material. And their imaginations! Would be great if classes had been exposed to the books mentioned above, but not essential. | |
| Delivery | Short introductory talk, discussion and selection of two works we might use as inspiration, then the creation of storylines for new stories based on them, with students interacting with me through the smartboard and video-conferencing. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 10 (Primary School, Under 10-year olds) | ||
| Tutor | Miles Merrill | 
|
| Date | Wednesday 31 July | |
| Time | 9:30 am | |
| Title | What's a Metaphor For? | |
| Description | For under-10-year-olds. Word traveller, Miles Merrill, journeys through poetry, stories, lyrics and monologues on a treasure hunt for magical metaphors and surprising similes. He needs your help to unlock the power of these mysterious word riddles. | |
| Learning Outcomes | Understand what metaphors and similes are. How, why and when to use them. | |
| Requirements | Miles will send samples of poetry, stories, lyrics and monologues to read beforehand. He will also send exercises for students to prepare their own writing in advance of the workshop. | |
| Delivery | Miles will use live performance and materials from his laptop to present an entertaining and educational show. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 11 (Primary School, Over 10-year olds) | ||
| Tutor | Miles Merrill |
|
| Date | Wednesday 31 July | |
| Time | 10:30 am | |
| Title | Going Viral | |
| Description | For over-10-year-olds. Miles discusses combining performance techniques with social media, video and audio recording for young writers to get their words to the world. | |
| Learning Outcomes | How to write, perform and self-publish stories online. | |
| Requirements | Miles Merrill will send links to recommended videos, podcasts and blogs for students to watch and discuss with teachers. Miles will also send exercises for students to prepare their own writing in advance of the workshop. | |
| Delivery | Miles will use live performance, online links and materials from his laptop to present a variety of electronic and theatrical mediums for students to express stories, poems, monologues and lyrics. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 12 (Upper Primary School) | ||
| Tutor | Bronwyn Parry | 
|
| Date | Tuesday 13 August | |
| Time | 10:30 am | |
| Title | See Through Your Character's Eyes | |
| Description | For senior primary students. The workshop focuses on using a character’s point of view to effectively describe places and action in a story. | |
| Learning Outcomes | A grasp of how to show, not tell, and build a good sense of both character and place without leaving the action for a lot of description. | |
| Requirements | Students need writing material, preferably draft books, but loose paper is okay. | |
| Delivery | I use a combination of smartboard and video-conferencing. The main material is delivered using a Power Point presentation and students are encouraged to contribute ideas as we discuss the exercises. They may read out short pieces if there is sufficient time. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 1 (High School) | ||
| Tutor | Lesley Sly |
|
| Date | Wednesday 8 May | |
| Time | 10:30 am | |
| Title | The Good, The Bad & The Ugly | |
| Description | This workshop looks at good versus bad writing with a focus on the essay. We will be analysing good and bad writing and exploring techniques which can be used in fiction and non-fiction. | |
| Learning Outcomes | Participants will learn how to structure an essay, how to develop ideas and how to express these ideas with precise language. | |
| Requirements | Materials to take notes. | |
| Delivery | Video-conferencing and smartboard. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 2 (High School) | ||
| Tutor | Dr Felicity Plunkett | 
|
| Date | Wednesday 22 May | |
| Time | 9:30 am | |
| Title | English Extension 1: Imaginative Writing | |
| Description | For Year 12 (also suitable for Year 11). This workshop offers an array of ideas, techniques and approaches to writing imaginative responses within English Extension 1 and to using the imaginative component of the elective to enhance, explore and complement the critical component. Presented by Dr Felicity Plunkett, writer, editor and former Chief Examiner of English Extension 1 and 2, the workshop aims to inspire creative, independent and flexible approaches to the imaginative component of the subject. Covering such questions as how to prepare productively for the exam, generating and developing ideas and planning a response, the workshop is suitable for all electives. Ideal for students studying Extension 1 in 2013, it would also be suitable for students in Year 11, preparing to do Extension 1 in 2014. | |
| Learning Outcomes | Students will discover additional ideas, approaches and resources for writing with independence and confidence for Extension 1 and will gain insight into what markers will be looking for. The workshop will build students’ skills in the imaginative component of the subject and help them develop fruitful connections between the critical and imaginative. | |
| Requirements | Desks and writing materials, access to computers for Adobe Room. | |
| Delivery | Adobe Room with PowerPoint and online chat. | |
| Online Interactive Workshop No. 3 (High School) | ||
| Tutor | Dr Felicity Plunkett |
|
| Date | Wednesday 22 May | |
| Time | 10:30 am | |
| Title | English Extension 2: Possibilities Assemblage | |
| Description | For Year 12 (also suitable for Year 11). This workshop offers an expert’s view of Extension 2 English with advice on the interrelationship of the elements of the project: Major Work, Reflection Statement and journal. For students underway with Extension 2, the workshop explores suggestions and inspiration to maintain your creativity and to enable students to pursue, develop and enrich their work in the course. This workshop is for students taking English Extension 2 in 2013, and would also benefit Year 11 students considering or planning for Extension 2 in 2014. It is suitable for students working in all forms of the Major Work. | |
| Learning Outcomes | Students will gain ideas and resources to assist in the development of their individual Major Works. How to develop and benefit from the interrelationship of the course’s three components—Major Work, Reflection Statement and journal—will be a focus. From generating fresh ideas to effective editing, the workshop aims to inspire and guide students. | |
| Requirements | Desks and writing materials. Computer. | |
| Delivery | Adobe Room. | |
The New England Writers' Centre is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.