Reach for the Stars! Writing Workshop for Kids



WORKSHOP LESSONS

WRITING CERTIFICATE

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

WHAT'S NEW?

OUR STORIES!

AMY (BOOKLOVER)

MARGO MARGOLIA

ANGELHORSE

STORY MAIDEN

WRITING "STARS"

Suzy's Writing Corner
Welcome to my writing workshop for budding young authors. Learn how to create your characters and "show don't tell" their feelings. Write beginnings that "hook" your readers. Learn to use a "writing camera" to freeze a scene, and more! Download free worksheets. Click LESSON 1 on the left sidebar to begin.
****************************************************
Sep. 12, 2007
Lesson 1- So, you want to write a story...

I'm excited to see you here. The best thing about this Reach for the Stars workshop is the fact that you can work at your own pace--as slowly or as quickly as you like. If you would like a graphic for your sidebar, you may copy the code for the one below to let others know about the workshop. You may "friend" the workshop to make it easier to hop back and forth. If and when you complete all 16 lessons, you earn a Certificate of Completion for your portfolio. (Click the picture of the certificate on the sidebar to read the details).
I have dozens of students, so PLEASE read these guidelines carefully. Otherwise I might not know when you post a lesson.
--If you want me to look at your lessons and give you feedback, you must do 2 things for EACH lesson:
    1) Sign Mr. Linky (the box at the bottom of each lesson). This is how I find your lesson!
    2) Leave me a comment with each lesson you complete, telling me that you signed Mr. Linky. The comments come to my e-mail box and alerts me to those who have finished lessons.
If you can't figure out how to use Mr. Linky, leave me a comment and I'll try to walk you through it.
--I will comment on your assignments with feedback and suggestions.
--Mr. Linky will allow students to critique each others' work, also.
--If you prefer to download and keep the worksheets to yourself, that's fine, too.
--The CBox is here for your questions. Use it any time to ask me questions about your lessons. However, remember that I only see the Cbox questions if I'm at the blog, so it may take some time to get back to you. Be patient.

LESSON 1-
This first lesson is going to be easy. I want you to gather the materials you need for the class:
--Some kind of folder to keep your writing assignments in. You can decorate it however you like.
--Notebook paper to brainstorm (think of ideas) or write rough drafts of your assignments
--Pencils & erasers

Below are 2 links to pdf files you can download to your computer and print out. The first one is the table of contents for the Reach for the Stars workshop. Keep it in your folder so you can get an idea of the different elements of fiction we are going to study:
TABLE OF CONTENTS

The other link is a colorful page that shows what every good story needs. Keep this handy page in your folder to look at whenever you are writing a story, to make sure you have these elements:
5 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD STORY

Your first assignment:
Older students (grades 4 and up): Read the handout about what every good story needs. Then think of a book you have read. See if you can figure out if the story you read included each of the 5 elements.
Example:
Charlotte's Web
Character:
Charlotte the spider
Setting:
the barnyard
Problem:
keeping Wilbur alive
Plot:
Charlotte creates webs that "talk"; Wilbur becomes a star
Solution:
Wilbur lives

Younger students (grades 1-3): Find the character and setting (have mom help) and one thing that happened in the story.

Post it on your blog and sign Mr. Linky's "In Other Words"!
Next Week: Creating Your Characters
Bonus file for parents: Extra "hands-on" ideas for the lessons:

PARENT GUIDE

. Post A Comment! . Send to a Friend!

Comments

Sep. 21, 2007 - reaching for the stars

Posted by Anonymous
Suzy,

Thank you so much for starting this - is this going to be directly from your workbook? if so, any way to make the workbook available after all the lessons (have you thought of making it available through lulu.com so that those of us who would like to have the workbook can have it?)

I will follow these lessons for me and my daughter who says she wants to write but isn't sure how to go about it - I am saving them in my folders - but will think about putting them on my blog - will keep you posted on how she does - E :)

----------
Elysabeth Eldering
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
www.emesemporium.net
. Permanent Link

Sep. 21, 2007 - How wonderful!

Posted by ThreeLittleLadies
My oldest dd will eat this stuff up, I think! She wrote the cutest story yesterday, that I will post later on her webpage (MountainPrincess). I will let you know when we get the assignment done and when I get the story up. Thanks for doing this and making it available to us!

Carol
. Permanent Link

Sep. 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by bookworm12
My mom, 2peter318, told me about this workshop. I've done my first assignment.
Sarah
. Permanent Link

Oct. 2, 2007 - Hello

Posted by cherryblossom
I am so happy you created this blog! I am currently working on some books and I desperately needed advice and such! Thank so much! I'll add you.

Julia
My mom is Kinley. or Kristy. You met her in WA. :)
. Permanent Link

Oct. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by BookLover
I might be a little later than the others, but I did it!
Amy
. Permanent Link

Oct. 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by LifeofFaith
Hi Mrs. Marlow,

I have just joined your writing workshop. I posted my first four assignments on my blog.

Thank you for all the lessons,
Alyssa
. Permanent Link

Nov. 26, 2007 - Writing workshop

Posted by Finwe
Hello! I finished my Lesson 1!

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Finwe/433561/

~Curufinwe
. Permanent Link

Nov. 26, 2007 - Writing Workshop

Posted by legolas
Hello! I'm in 1st grade, and my mom told me to do these. I finished my lesson 1.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/legolas/434081/

Legolas
. Permanent Link

Nov. 26, 2007 - Fixed

Posted by Finwe
Hi, I fixed the plot, it is longer now!

~CF
. Permanent Link

Nov. 26, 2007 - Lessons

Posted by Luthien29
Hello Mrs. Marlow! I have finished lesson 1 on my second blog:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Arya/434094/

I thank you for these lessons. I believe it will really help me because I am writing a book right now. Thank you!
Luth
. Permanent Link

Jan. 5, 2008 - Joined

Posted by bigsister
Hello,
I have joined your writing workshops. I just don't know how to get your "Reach for the Stars" icon on or Mr. Linky. Could you give me instructions? Thanks!
. Permanent Link

Jan. 5, 2008 - Did It!

Posted by emilyemilyemily
I got my lesson 1 done and posted it on my blog!

Here it is:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/emilyemilyemily/455331
. Permanent Link

Jan. 5, 2008 - trying out my new blog

Posted by lovetoread
Hi Susan. This is Sarah. I've been emailing you with questions about setting up a blog for my dd to participate in your writing workshop. I'm following the steps you emailed me as sort of a "practice run" before I do lesson 1 with my daughter. Thank you for your help. I'm off to try Mr. Linky now. Hopefully you'll get this!
. Permanent Link

Jan. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous
I'm really sorry! I thought that there was only one of the things where I signed up in. I just realized that I did it wrong.
Bethany
. Permanent Link

Jan. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Bookwriter
I'm really sorry! I thought that there was only one of the things where I signed up in. I just realized that I did it wrong.
Bethany
. Permanent Link

Jan. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Bookwriter
Hi Susan. I corrected my mistakes on lesson 2.
Bethany <><
. Permanent Link

Jan. 7, 2008 - Redwallfreak

Posted by Anonymous
Error in linking up:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Redwallfreak/

Completed lesson 1.
. Permanent Link

Jan. 9, 2008 - joining the workshop

Posted by legorobotboy
My son is interested in doing the Reach for the Stars workshop but we are confused about how he gets you to look at his blog once he posts it. We are not interested in "In other words" only the writing workshop. Does he still fill in the box with his url? Does he also post a comment here? Does he need to list you as a friend for you to do this with him?
Sorry for all the questions, we're new to this.
Thank you
VLS
. Permanent Link

Jan. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by BChsMamaof3
Hi Susan, I just posted K's first assignment on my blog :)
Have a great weekend!
Rosina
. Permanent Link

Jan. 15, 2008 - Hi

Posted by MargoMargolia1
Hi!
I'm doing this because I wrote a short story about the field in my backyard, and some people ( my parents included) read it and apparently I have "skill" =P =).
so Now I am a forced writer *wink* and must write otherwise my life is forfit!
this should be fun!
please exscuse any spelling mistakes that I will enevitibly make.
thanks for starting this Program!
be warned though!
I may have more imagination than 1 person should be allowed!

Edited by MargoMargolia1 on Jan. 15, 2008 at 12:32 PM
. Permanent Link

Jan. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Abbypie3000
Thank you so much! I would REALLY Like to Join. I have read Quite a lot of books but i think i will choose Meet Julie. I will start on it later. I hope i will graduate just like Amy!
. Permanent Link

Jan. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Abbypie3000
I did The thing at the bottom of the Entry (Not The lesson but how am i supposed to link to you?
. Permanent Link

Feb. 18, 2008 - lesson 1

Posted by lovetoread
I did it!
. Permanent Link

Feb. 25, 2008 - hello

Posted by Emma4Jesus
Hello, I found your site from cherryblossom's, and I think this is great! I love to write and have been wanting more tips and ideas. I did the first lesson and you will find it on my writing blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Emma4Jesus
. Permanent Link

Feb. 25, 2008 - hello

Posted by Emma4Jesus
Thank you so much for the comment and the suggestions. I have revised lesson 1. Please let me know if it is better. Also I am so sorry about the confusion with the Mr. Linky. I will try not to make the mistake again. Thank you so much for doing this, I am looking forward to doing more lessons!
. Permanent Link

Feb. 25, 2008 - I have started

Posted by SavedGirl
Dear Mrs. Marlow,

I have started your workshop and entered my link into Mr. Linky. Please take a look.
. Permanent Link

Feb. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Lillian
I'm finished with Lesson 1!
I hope it is good!
Thank you for taking the time to check it out!
~Lillian
. Permanent Link

Mar. 10, 2008 - Done

Posted by Rosethorn

I did lesson one. I hope it's ok. Thank you so much for this sight.

Rosethorn
. Permanent Link

Mar. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by luvdogs07
Thanks for setting this up! It looks fun! =D
I finished lesson one on my writing blog.
. Permanent Link

Mar. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by alizona
Hey, I am finally starting the WW lessons! Come on over and see how I did on the first one :o)

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/alizonasWW/498214/
. Permanent Link

Mar. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Meggy T
I have completed this lesson! Thank you for being willing to let me do it on my blog. I am 16 and am preparing for a degree in English that emphasizes creative writing at my local college. I am always looking for others that can critique my work, so PLEASE be as hard as you can on me and give me any suggestions you can think of!!!!!
Have a nice day!
. Permanent Link

Apr. 1, 2008 - lesson 1

Posted by kayla98
My name is Kayla. I am almost 10. I'm very excited about the creative writing workshop. I have completed lesson 1 on my blog. thanks!
Kayla
. Permanent Link

Apr. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by StoryMaiden
I just signed Mister Linky. I am so excited about this! Thank you for offering your time! I just posted the work I did for Lesson 1, and I look forward to your feedback whenever you get the time! Thank you again!

(I signed myself as PoeticMaiden because that is my regular username: this is just my story username for the blog that I started for this workshop.) :)
. Permanent Link

Jun. 5, 2008 - I fixed it!

Posted by sewbookcomputer
I did the best I could to fix lesson 1. It probably still needs some work though :(
. Permanent Link

Jun. 16, 2008 - Writing Workshop

Posted by Anonymous
Is there a way to do the course without each child setting up their own blog? Could we do it without a blog at all or could we just have a family blog and 2 children post their work there? The blog world is new to me but we would really like to do this course.
Thanks,
BM
. Permanent Link

Jun. 16, 2008 - Answers to question

Posted by skmarlow
Yes, anonymous, you can have one "family" blog and have everybody post on it. (I have a family that does just that). Just have each child do a separate entry. Just make sure you leave me a comment so I can "find you." If you want to ask more questions, just e-mail me (find it on the sidebar and click the "e-mail me".
Hope that helps!
Or you can go to The Old Schoolhouse Store and download the entire thing at one time (or get print copies) of the book and do it on your own, if that is more convenient:

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=161&main_page=index
. Permanent Link

Jun. 27, 2008 - Fixed!

Posted by sewbookcomputer
I fixed this lesson
. Permanent Link

Jul. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by writer4him
Hello Mrs. Marlow,

I've finally started the writing lessons--I'm quite excited about doing them! The blog I'll be posting the lessons at is

homeschoolblogger.com/writings

My first lesson is up now.

~Beth
. Permanent Link

Aug. 5, 2008 - I posted my first lesson

Posted by HalfMonkey
I posted my first lesson
. Permanent Link

Aug. 5, 2008 - Just finished 1st lesson

Posted by OutdoorAdventurer
I just posted the first lesson on my blog.
Thanks!
. Permanent Link

Aug. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by OutdoorAdventurer
Thank you for helping me. I made my corrections.
. Permanent Link

Aug. 21, 2008 - Fr: Miss Monica June

Posted by Anonymous
I completed my first assignment! :)
. Permanent Link

Aug. 24, 2008 - Writing Workshop

Posted by erinducote
great site
. Permanent Link

Aug. 28, 2008 - Lesson 1

Posted by CiaraBerry2
I have completed Lesson 1.

Thank you for offering these lessons!
. Permanent Link

Aug. 28, 2008 - signed Mr. Linky

Posted by CiaraBerry2
Sorry, I forgot to tell you in my past comment that I signed Mr. Linky. My mom needs to add your e-mail address to my security page, so could you please let me know what to have her enter there?
. Permanent Link

Sep. 6, 2008 - First Writing Assignment!

Posted by emyrosie
This is EXCITING! My friend, Saved Girl (Lulu) told me about your writing class! It is awesome!

From,
Emyrosie
. Permanent Link

Sep. 8, 2008 - Hi there!

Posted by verafaye

I started the lessons today and signed in at Mr Linky.

Thank you !!!!!
. Permanent Link

Sep. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Pip
Alright, I did the first lesson and posted it onto my writing blog; it was fun! Do you read every completed lesson by every blogger who does it? I hope you will like what I've written; I am embedding the widget onto the said writing blog, and I will be sure to do more lessons soon! I would like to "graduate"!
~PIP~
. Permanent Link

Sep. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Pip
Alrighty, thank you SO MUCH for your constructive crtiticism! I edited my work and the changes are on the same blogpost; if you have time, I'd greatly appreciate your further thoughts for my first lesson.
You probably hear this a lot, but your criticisms are very helpful to me; so many people go "Oh, I liked it" because they don't want to hurt my feelings, and you most likely understand how vague and annoying that is!!! It's nice to hear honest critiques!
~PIP~
P.S. If ever you're bored witless, or (dare I say it) need inspiration, the blog I will be posting my completed lessons on also has other writings of mine and will eventually contain some novels I am considering, perhaps even the novel I actually finished! Eventually, mind you... :-D
. Permanent Link

Sep. 11, 2008 - I fixed it

Posted by emyrosie
I fixed my blog. Louis is a young trumpeter swan, it's on there.
. Permanent Link

Sep. 13, 2008 - Hello!

Posted by TroopersForChrist
Hi Susan, I'm over here researching how this works on-line. As you know, we have your Reach for the Stars book in hard copy. Joy has done two lessons so I'm figuring out how this works to go over how to contact you. We will have to get them posted on her blog for you to look over and then enter them on Mr. Linky.

I see your Reach for the Stars trailer would be nifty on her blog. As would your book trailer for #4. She's reading Blue Willow right now.

It started to dawn on me as I re read Blue Willow... that perhaps Janey in Blue Willow and Andi in The Circle C Series were living in the same part of California. It had been so long since I'd read Blue Willow. It was one of my books as a girl. Something old...I was just browsing your post on your other blog. Anyhow, that's why I asked you where Andi lived in the stories.

I pulled up a map to to show Joy and there was Fresno and the San J. Valley where Janey is. Of course, San Francisco was not too far to the West either.

Joy looked up about when Andi's vintage was and we are guessing Janey's is during the Dusty Bowl/Depression or just after so we will say 1935 for a circa. So we estimate there are 50 years between them in the stories.

This is nearly the type of compare and contrast type of essay I was asked to do in high school. Hmm... it gives me ideas. Compare and contrast the two books. I have so much lined up for our two to do.... so much, so little time. It might be something Joy and I can discuss at least as narration.

We are eagerly awaiting your newest book.

N8 gave me the link to Photo Bucket. I had to register and have done that but not gotten into the hosting part yet. I'll let you know how it goes for me. Joy told me her blog had more photos than most she sees. I really want her to be able to post photos and like them.

Now we are off to a baby shower for a dear friend in Edgewood.

Hugs,
Marie
. Permanent Link

Sep. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JoyKuuleilani
Hi Mrs. Marlow,

I'm showing Joy how to do Mr. Linky. She is entering herself as JoyKuuleilani at htttp://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ImaSnickerdoodle/
BUT we enter and get a message that the URL must start with 'http:/' It does start with that! I cut/pasted it off her site and then I retyped it after that message...but it Mr. Linky won't take it, no matter what we do.

We were able to use Canadagirls' Mr. Linky a good week ago.

I'm using Firefox..is it the server?

Marie & Joy

Yet, another mystery. So we are left to leave a comment as our way to contact you. She has posted lessons on her blog.
. Permanent Link

Sep. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JoyKuuleilani
Back AGAIN and playing with Mr. Linky. He has my name and TroopersForChrist for some reason automatically loaded into his links. I pressed Enter and I was signed up. Oh, dear I'm already behind on writing assignments! Aaaaah!

My favorite character is: Lowry Rankin
Least favorite: Luke Means
Ha, ha! Luke Means is mean, he's big, nasty, sassy and
likes slavery.What a brute.

Okay, okay.... Joy logged herself in with her blog but none-the-less this computer thinks it is me and my blog. We manually changed that but Mr. Linky is so stinky and he would not give us the nod and winky. SO what's the special thingy, we must do so tricky?

We do NOT like that character, Mr. Linky!

When's the poetry workshop for Green Eggs and Ham writers?

Marie & Joy

. Permanent Link

Oct. 20, 2008 - Done

Posted by horsewings
Hi, I'm done on my new blog, where I'm Horsewings. Go check it out!

Horsewings
. Permanent Link

Nov. 30, 2008 - Hello

Posted by Anonymous
Your site is so helpful!! But for some odd reasons the links are not working!! Does anyone know why?
. Permanent Link

Dec. 1, 2008 - Links

Posted by skmarlow
Hi anonymous...
If you check back here you will get this message. Or e-mail me and we can talk.

I checked the links for lessons 1 and 2 and they are working just fine. They take you to the hosting service for the pdf files. Sometimes the hosting site has a server error so you should try it again later. It should work.

Hope this helps!
. Permanent Link

Jan. 6, 2009 - Lesson 1

Posted by SkyeWriter
I have posted Lesson 1 on my blog.
Thank You!

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inthebookcase/642045/
. Permanent Link
Last Page | Next Page

Watch a Preview for Reach for the Stars Writing Workbook!



QUESTIONS AND MESSAGES


Visit Andi & Taffy's blog!


BLOG INFO

REACH FOR THE STARS
GRADUATES

AMY

ELLIE

LIFE OF FAITH


ASHLEY


SARAH


SAVED GIRL


CHICKADEE


LUTHIEN


MEGGY T


EMY


MARGOMARGOLIA


ELIZABETH


SARAH B.
(SEWBOOKCOMPUTER)


PIP