My reading and writing workshops are geared towards middle school students, grades 6-8. The age range is intentionally kept small in order to help students foster meaningful relationships with one another, and to cultivate an atmosphere of trust when sharing writing pieces.

That would be me, Madlen! See the About Me section for more information.

Workshops take place in Mission Viejo, in the backyard of my home. Direct teaching and group work happen around a table, and students are free to utilize the rest of the outside space for independent writing time and partner work.

Workshops build conceptually and in difficulty from session to session, so it’s crucial that students attend all sessions of workshop. Of course, sometimes life happens. If a student is unexpectedly unable to attend a session due to illness or another emergency, we’ll work something out.

This will vary based on the type of workshop. Required materials are very minimal in all cases.

I find that writers are less likely to open up and be vulnerable in the writing process when they feel they are being watched or judged by a parent. Because of this, I ask that parents drop their students at the start of the workshop, and return to pick them up at the end.

Yes. Writing and reading groups will always take a break about halfway through each session. Students are welcome to bring a snack to enjoy during that time as well.

For writing groups, students will have the option to work on their pieces outside of workshop time. This is not required. For reading workshop, specifically Book Club, students will likely need to complete some reading outside of workshop time in order to finish their novels.

Sure.

Writing workshops are calculated at $45/hour. Reading workshops are calculated at $40/hour.

Physically, writing workshop students will walk away with a portfolio of various personal writing pieces, as well as a writer’s notebook they can continue to use well beyond the workshop. Reading workshop students will leave with a reading portfolio of written responses and creative keepsakes they will develop throughout the course of reading their novels. Reading workshop students will also learn and practice an array of comprehension and analysis strategies they can take with them moving forward. Most importantly, I hope both writers and readers will walk away with a new or renewed sense of autonomy and excitement surrounding the reading/writing process. The goal is for students to continue their literary pursuits long after leaving my workshops.