Writing Workshops

Classroom Poetry Writing Sessions

A. Writing Poetry

I engage EVERY CHILD in a classroom poetry writing session and model a different poetry form to each grade.

I select forms ranging from PERFORMANCE models to metaphor, to descriptive poetry to visual MANDALA poetry. I am now currently able to model approximately 80 different forms, (or structures of word patterns) to create a poem.

I am available for 5 sessions per day (5 grades per day).
(EACH session per ONE grade of 30 children)

B. Mandala Poetry

Mandala is an old word, phrased as sanskrit meaning ‘whole’ or circle. I have been using this visual form for children to create poetry for 15 years. I select a particular poetry form suitable for mandala format and show children how to express their ideas by drawing in a circle. This medium is excellent for both writers and non-writers and enables the latter to create a poem, maybe for the first time.

(SEE MANDALA POETRY.)

C. Performance Poetry

Jo is looking out to sea!

When I began working with children writing poetry, I quickly realized that to read poems to a large group is not particularly ‘audience friendly’. I began to research and write poetry models that are ideal for children to perform. These models range from blank verse to poems with a wide variety of rhythms, structures, and styles, some ideal for accompaniment by percussion instruments, movement, mime and enactment. A classroom session involves the modelling of ONE of these forms, enabling the children to write their own performance piece. Depending on the structure, they might write individually, in pairs, in a group or as a whole class.

An outline of a poetry session.

D. Ten Steps to Writing a Narrative Story / Ideas for Writing Creatively

Children from Year 2-7 will learn how to construct and write a story in just one writing session.

E. Motivational Talk for Children: Step out of the Square - Strategies for Helping Children to Think and Write Creatively

Jo has created an informative, entertaining session for a LARGE group of children (minimum 120 children), aimed at Middle and Upper Primary.

This session, sprinkled with fun and humour, will not only address a myriad of ideas to show children how to THINK creatively, but also ideas for WRITING creatively. During the session Jo will also model 3 or 4 poems and write them with audience participation.

She suggests that the teachers bring note pads and pens… they will not be disappointed!

Libraries / Communities

Adult and children’s sessions on:

  1. My work as an author, poet and creative artist.
  2. Poetry writing sessions.
  3. Mandala workshops.