Adventure at the Magic Tree HouseGrades 2–4
WY9-R1
One Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
May 9
$50 W&B members / $55 general public
Instructors: Angela Cannon and Alicia VandevorstIf you are the kind of adventurous reader who loves the Magic Tree House books, come take a journey to Walden Pond from our Tree House at the Gell Center. Based on the way Jack and Annie take adventures, we’ll use books to venture back into the past, follow Viking Rune stones for clues, discover forgotten tales in India, and find our way to 19th Century New England's Walden Pond so we can solve the riddle and discover the most magical place at the Gell Center. You’ll stick facts, clues, treasures and more in a journal, play games, do crafts, and prepare treats from long ago. Be prepared for the outdoors; bring a water bottle, bag lunch, and sturdy, weather-ready shoes.
Wayside School of Writing
Grades 3–5
WY9-R2
One Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
March 28
$49 W&B members / $54 general public
Instructor: Wendy LowBy examining how good writers create, budding authors can learn how to write effective stories. In this workshop, we will study Louis Sacher’s techniques in his Wayside School stories: wacky characterizations with interesting problems, a familiar yet strange setting, a child’s point of view, and a humorous plot-twist and satisfying resolution in every tale. We will then combine those elements with our own insights into what is weird in everyday education to write our own silly chapters in the life of an American school. Participants should have read at least one “Wayside School” book and should know who Louis, Mrs. Jewls, Miss Mush and Mr. Kidswatter are, so that they will never have to write their name on the board under the word “DISCIPLINE”! Time on the playground after lunch. Bring your own lunch box unless you want Miss Mush’s mushroom surprise. Tootsie pops provided.
Merry May Day Fest
Grades 3–5
WY9-D1
One Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
May 2
$49 W&B members / $54 general public
Instructor: Marna RossiIn the Olden Days of Daring Damsels and Bold Knights May Day was a festive, artistic celebration. Find out how kids lived in Medieval times. Enjoy performing skits of wizards and dragons, bold princesses and daring knights. Like medieval minstrels, we will tell stories, ask riddles, recite traditional poems, and sing songs. We’ll costume ourselves Queens and Kings of the May, and play traditional games. In the last hour, we will serve refreshments, perform a maypole dance and put on mock-jousts for an invited audience. Take home a May basket and ideas for your own fun celebrations.
Young Writers’ Club
Grades 3–6
WY9-M1
11 Wednesdays, 3:45–5:00 p.m.
January 21 through April 8 (No class 2/18)
$99 W&B members / $110 general public •Limit: 12
Instructor: Sally Bittner BonnYou know that you are a writer. You could use the inspiration and support of a good writing instructor, a time and place to focus on your writing, and a group of friends who are also writers. In Young Writers’ Club, we will play with many creative forms, including different styles of poetry, fiction, and journal writing. We will get acquainted with techniques used by great authors, try in-class exercises to get our writing minds purring, and learn how to give each other feedback that is helpful for revising and finishing our pieces. And, finally, we will publish a small book of our work and look at other places where we can send our pieces to be published.
Pages & Stages: Earth Stories Take Life!
Grades 4–7
WY9-D2
8 Saturdays, 9:45–Noon
January 25 through March 29 (No class 2/14 or 2/22 due to February Break)
$136 W&B members / $144 general public •Limit: 12
Instructor: Almeta Whitis"The Earth asks all the birds of the world to embark upon on a quest to save her life, describing the place they must reach in order to bring back a message from the Great Being, who lives in the House of the Treasure, in a garden beyond the edge of time…"
In a tale told by the 12th century Persian poet, Farid ud-Din Attar, the birds actually undertake the important quest. Today we are asked to take wings and quest in our creative response to Earth's call.Through artistic expression, we will create ways and means of honoring, protecting and preserving the Earth. We will write journals, stories, life observations, and poetry to express and communicate our desire to honor and save Mother Earth. Almeta Whitis, internationally acclaimed storyteller, actress, dancer, singer and writer, will bring us wisdom from Earth's indigenous peoples, via their languages, songs and traditions as inspiration for our own word creations. She will help us develop them into performances, involving music and dance as well. Our offerings will be presented at a Spring 2009 Earth Day Community Celebration, to be scheduled.
SCHOOL BREAK CLASSES
FEBRUARY WRITING BREAK
(During February School Break, February 16–20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Should you be sitting around the house all week? Take a break to write creatively. Early drop off or late pick up can be arranged.
Picture This: Writing and Photography
Ages 9–13
WY9-A1
ALL DAY: February 16 through 20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
$175 W&B members / $189 general public •Limit: 14
Note: Eastman House members receive W&B member price.
Instructors: Lisa Johnson and Alicia VandervorstThey say, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and Rochester hosts the home of a picture giant: George Eastman. If you love to photograph and write poetry or short stories, then join us! We’ll spend a week exploring the George Eastman House, gardens, photo galleries, and permanent museum collection as inspiration for our creative writing We may create photographic narratives with our cameras and add words that help to tell the story, or we may write stories using characters we create and the mysterious setting of the house. We will try image-making methods such as collage, time lapse, pinhole and Photoshop. A final presentation featuring students’ photographic and written expressions will be displayed at a last day “art opening” exhibition. If you have your own digital camera, please bring it.
APRIL WRITING BREAK
(During April School Break, April 20–24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Spring is an inspiring time to write! Full-day classes will get out and about in the Neighborhood of the Arts and find inspiration all around them. Early drop off or late pick up can be arranged.
Magic Tree House Readers’ Club
Grades 1–3
WY9-R3
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
April 20 through 24
$165 W&B members / $178 general public •Limit: 12
Instructor: Marna RossiTake part in wonderful magical adventures from the Magic Tree House Series as Annie and Jack solve problems and help people as they travel through the world and through time. Like Annie and Jack, we will learn about the landscape, animals, and people in each environment we visit. We will read some of the stories and act out some of the scenes. Through a field trip, we will explore how we can learn about other times and places. You will illustrate stories through art activities, and, with a team, create scenes and act them out for friends and family. Pack a lunch each day.
What’s Your Story? Writing Fabulous Fiction
Grades 4–6
WY9-F1
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
April 20 through 24
$165 W&B members / $178 general public •Limit: 12
Instructor: Angela CannonWe all enjoy well-written stories—stories so amazing, moving, or creepy that we feel we are actually a part of them as we read. Now, it’s your turn to capture a reader’s imagination and interest. We’ll discuss fiction basics: how to hook readers and develop fascinating characters in compelling situations, so that our stories are almost impossible to put down! We’ll examine and imitate what our favorite authors do and, using good and bad examples, will see what works, and why. And, we’ll give lots of time to crafting our own fiction. Using techniques for finding ideas and for developing and finishing what we start, each participant will develop a completed draft of a story or first chapter. We’ll all go home with an anthology of pages from everyone’s best work! Whether you’re learning more about your inner storyteller, or just starting out, come and get creative! Pack a lunch each day.
