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You are here: Courses / Fall 2021 / WriteNOW Workshop – Middle Fall – Tues 12 PM PT
WriteNOW Workshop

WriteNOW Workshop – Middle Fall – Tues 12 PM PT

$169.00

“I’d like to welcome Prof. Lisa Billa as this year’s instructor for WriteNOW. I’m excited that Prof. Lisa will share her knowledge and enthusiasm for writing with Athena’s students. ” ~Prof. Suki

“I’m excited to meet you in a relaxed, positive, and supportive place to write! I love how the WriteNOW method focuses on the fun of creative writing. I can’t wait to share inspiration and imagination, and to see the ideas you come up with!” ~Prof. Lisa

Available

Categories: Fall 2021, Junior High - Grades 7-8, Writing - Creative Tags: 2021 - Fall, Junior High - Grades 7-8, Mid-Fall Start Date, Prof. Lisa Billa, WriteNOW Workshop, Writing - Creative Writing
Offered By Instructor

Lisa Billa, MSW

Content Level

Junior High – Grades 7-8

Course Length

8-Week Course – Fall (October start date)

Day & Time

Tuesdays, 12 PM Pacific – 10/12/21 – 12/11/21

Enrollment

Enrollment Options Linked Below

  • Description
  • What to Expect
  • Materials & More

Description

This workshop is for writers of all ages who want to read and write short prose and poetry in an interactive environment. Each week we will read a published work, read each other’s work, and write together. This is a workshop-intensive class, with very few assignments outside of workshop attendance. Students work at their own pace and their own level. The collaborative approach works well for beginning as well as skilled writers.

Why interactive writing?

“Writer’s block” often results from students thinking that words they write are “set in stone.” We write best when we are fluid writers, and there’s no better way to become more fluid than to produce writing on a regular basis and treat it as a creative, collaborative discipline.

Is this the right environment for my reluctant writer? Is it right for my avid writer?

This is a great environment for reluctant and avid writers! We will emphasize the writing process, not the critiquing process, which encourages reluctant writers to get their thoughts out without the censoring influence of being “corrected.” In the process of writing collaboratively, students learn to add detail, depth, and description to their ideas—the same skills they will need to be solid writers of academic prose.

Note to parents:

  • This course is part of Athena’s Creative Writing Sequence. Click here to see the full sequence and enrollment priorities.
  • This 8-week course can be repeated as often as a student would like.
  • WriteNOW is a fast-paced, interactive writing environment. Students with special learning needs may need parental assistance.
  • Read more about Professor Suki’s approach to teaching writing.
  • In lieu of a waitlist for Prof. Suki’s writing classes:
    • Click here to be placed on Professor Suki’s email list.

A word from the instructor:

Offered by:

  • “Prof.” Lisa Billa

What to Expect

What to expect in the Required section in the classroom each week:

  • The only requirement for this course is to come to webinar weekly and take part in the writing assignments.
  • Students can enhance their experience by reading suggested works outside of class, posting writing projects on our forum, and commenting on other students’ work.

What to expect in the Highly Suggested & Optional sections in the classroom each week:

  • Curated resources, including websites & videos, are provided to excite learners and to add depth to the subject matter.
  • Share writing and art projects.
  • Read student writing published online.

What to expect during the webinar:

  • Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
  • Active Participation (via the microphone and chat) in online class discussions.
  • This class is discussion based. Only students who are ready to use the microphone in an online class should enroll.

Materials & More

Before taking this course, students should be able to: 

  • Read at a solid 7th-grade level or above.
  • Type fluently or be equipped with dictation software or a willing adult helper during our webinar.
  • Be comfortable sharing unpolished, raw writing. Some students may take a while before they feel comfortable; this is a great environment for working on writer’s block due to perfectionism issues.
  • Be prepared for an active, participatory environment.

Students should be willing to:

  • Be prepared for the webinar.
  • Actively participate (via the microphone and chat) in the class discussion.
  • Verbally participate in webinar discussions – this class is discussion based.
  • Encourage class discussion by adding their questions/ideas in the chat window during the webinar.
  • Respond with positive and encouraging comments on their classmates’ posts in the classroom forums.

Required books & materials:

  • Weekly readings will be online, no textbook required.
  • WriteNOW requires that student be able to access more than one browser tab at a time. A computer with a keyboard is highly recommended.

Enrollment Options

Live Webinars - Tuesdays, 12 PM Pacific - Middle Fall Semester - 10/12/21 - 12/11/21

  • Enroll Your Registered Student – Live Webinars
  • Enroll Your Registered Student using School Funds
  • Register Your Student
  • Academic Calendar & Weekly Schedules

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I am an unexpected homeschooling mom and your classes were [her] first online classes. At first I was very wary that they (really anything online) would be a reasonable solution for her, but they ended up being an overwhelming success.  Athena’s made me realize I can do this whole homeschooling thing…at least for now 🙂
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Parent Alison C.
Thanks for running Athena’s– you guys are my refuge as I homeschool my 2 PGs!
Parent Amy C.
It’s clear to me that [my daughter’s] experience at Athena’s is only one of two unqualifiedly successful educational experiences she has had. I wish I could just leave her in your hands all the time.
Parent Amanda S.
It was by-chance that we found Athena’s in our first fledgling month of homeschooling — and we thank our lucky stars! Now in our second year, Athena’s has become the backbone of our curriculum. Not only are the academic classes interesting, challenging and thought-provoking, the community we’ve found is so warm and welcoming. In fact, my 8-year old has decided to forgo a couple of in-person classes because he can’t stand the thought of missing Athena’s!
Parent Deborah W.
Athena’s was an amazing find for us…He did other online classes, but his weekly hour at Athena’s was his favorite. He really loved his teacher and enjoyed the interaction with other kids in the virtual classroom, which is missing from many online classes. But most importantly, he was engaged intellectually. I highly recommend Athena’s Advanced Academy for highly gifted homeschoolers who want to interact in “class” with gifted students like themselves.
Parent Chris O.
She has loved her experiences with you at Athena’s. They have been the perfect transition from the classroom…She has felt that the Athena’s environment is the best of both worlds; she can still learn with experts and true peers in a classroom, but doesn’t have to spend so many hours of her day to get that experience. She is free to move at her own pace and to pursue other passions and activities with the many hours that have been freed up by being able to learn at home and with Athena’s.… Read more
Parent Kristi H.
It was smart and fun! Every week there was great homework, and extra that was cool too! I will definitely be sign up for more classes!
Student Z.A.
What I especially liked about the course was how the teacher presented the information in the webinars. It was all very easy to understand. I also liked the activities and the friends.
Student N.E.

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