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Writer's Lab-Teens

Writer’s Lab – Teens – Year-Long

$649.00

“This class was my favorite out of all of them. I honestly can’t think of any way to make it better. It was so much more fun and helpful than other writing classes I have taken in the past, and I actually feel like a better writer now! Prof. Suki is really great at motivating people to do their best. I still feel motivated to be the best writer I can be, even though the class is over (regrettably). At the beginning of the year I felt discouraged and thought I might give up on writing entirely, but Prof. Suki and this class helped me and now I am going to try my best to be the best writer I can be!”
~ Student N.C.

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Offered By Instructor

Suki Wessling, MFA
Content Level

High School – Grades 9-12
Course Length

Year-long
Day & Time

Thursdays, 4 PM Pacific – 90 Minute Webinars – 8/12/21 – 5/21/22
Enrollment

Enrollment Options Linked Below

Description

This Writer’s Lab workshop is for avid writers 13 and over who want to read and write in an interactive community. Our focus is on developing fluency, creativity, and depth in our writing. During our webinar, we focus on community writing support and using writing prompts. In the classroom, students read and respond to examples of published writing, share more of their writing, and support each other. Video and text about writing offer food for thought and inspiration.

Why community writing? Why teens?

Writers blossom when they are part of a supportive, appreciative community that reads and celebrates their work. Students in Writer’s Lab will be encouraged to share any of their work—from academic essays to undeveloped creative inspiration. Teens have different developmental needs and their writing often reflects topics they are exploring. A teens-only environment will offer them the freedom to explore the topics that concern them.

Is this environment more suited to reluctant writers or avid ones? What level is this course?

All of our creative writing courses work by drawing on the strengths of all levels of writers, from very beginning writers to advanced. Students need to be able to type fluently in order to take part in these courses. Very reluctant writers will find WriteNOW Workshop the best environment to start in, whereas Writer’s Lab will offer a more consistent community for writers who enjoy writing and want to seek out kindred spirits. The course integrates students of all skill levels.

Note to parents:
  • This course is part of Athena’s Creative Writing Sequence. Click here to see the full sequence and enrollment priorities.
  • This year-long course can be repeated as often as a student would like.
  • This class is discussion based. Only students who are ready to use the microphone in an online class should enroll.
  • This course requires use of multiple tabs in a browser, so students need to attend on a computer with a keyboard. Attendance on a tablet is not recommended.
  • Webinars are 90 minutes long.
  • Teen Writer’s Lab students tend to explore mature subject matter in their writing and discussions. Teens who are highly sensitive or are less mature will find a more suitable environment in our mixed-age Writer’s Lab.
  • Read more about Professor Suki’s approach to teaching writing.
  • In lieu of a waitlist for Prof. Suki’s writing classes:

A word from the instructor:

What to Expect

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

  • Students are expected to post writing on our forums and offer supportive comments 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.

What to expect during the weekly webinar:

  • Weekly webinars are 90 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
  • The webinar forms the core of this course and students should plan to attend every week if possible.
  • 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.
  • This course requires use of multiple tabs in a browser, so students need to attend on a computer with a keyboard. Attendance on a tablet is not recommended.

Materials & More

Before taking this course, students should be able to: 

  • Read at a solid 7th-grade level or above.
  • Type fluently.
  • Be comfortable sharing unpolished, raw writing.
  • 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:

  • 642 Things to Write About by Jason Roberts and Po Bronson (ISBN: 978-1452154756)

Enrollment Options

Live Webinars - Thursdays, 4 PM Pacific - 90 Minute Webinars - 8/12/21 – 5/21/22

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