Middle School Girls*
Poetic Playlist
In this program, girls will explore the lyrics of celebrated female songwriters who have used their voices and their words as a means to challenge, inspire and comfort us. We will touch on story and song structure through a diverse catalogue of artists. As writers, we will be seeking the music of our lives, channeling our inner poetess and lyricist. Each writer will curate their own compilation of work influenced by music from the course collection and their own life’s playlist.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Dystopia!
Are you interested in world-building futuristic realities and creating characters that are up against the odds? Are you looking for a way to process life in the pandemic? Welcome to Dystopia!, a class where we will explore the fundamentals of dystopian writing from character archetypes and power dynamics to systemic obstacles in our imagined societies. Writers will craft intricate plotlines that have both clarity and dimension, finding inspiration in current events and societal issues. We will learn craft moves like pacing and external character detailing from revered dystopian authors like Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood and George Orwell.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Inspirations: Intersection of Art and Writing
Are you enlivened by the creative process, whether crafting a story or creating a sculpture? Do you enjoy imagining backstory as you draw a character from scratch? In Inspirations: we will explore a variety of artistic media from iconic artists like Niki de Saint Phalle, Hayao Miyazaki, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Frida Kahlo. Our explorations and conversations will then serve as inspiration for our writing.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Creative Escape & Connection
Expressive writing program for 6th - 8th grade girls*
Middle school brings unique challenges, and our middle school program meets the needs of students in the midst of this formative time. TIWP creates a supportive environment for students to escape into the creative writing process, where they can be playful and find joy in the stories and worlds they create. We also provide a safe space for students to address the challenges they may be facing through the writing process. Teachers encourage and model authenticity, peer support, and self confidence. Each session involves an inspirational reading, a writing prompt, and time to share and receive feedback.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Instructors, depending on class time: Gretchen Cion and Anne Marie Feld Lowell
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Class size is 4-6. Each class is an hour and half at $70/class. Enrollment occurs quarterly (our schedule is based on the Acalanes District academic calendar) but tuition is pro-rated depending on the day you register. If your child doesn’t absolutely love their first class, we will provide a full refund. We want your child to choose writing purely for the joy of it!
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*Girls includes all gender-expansive youth
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For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.
REGISTER FOR
SUMMER 2021
Poetic Playlist
The Poetry and Insights of Female Songwriters for 6-8th grade girls
In this program, girls will explore the lyrics of celebrated female songwriters who have used their voices and their words as a means to challenge, inspire and comfort us. We will touch on story and song structure through a diverse catalogue of artists. As writers, we will be seeking the music of our lives, channeling our inner poetess and lyricist. Each writer will curate their own compilation of work influenced by music from the course collection and their own life’s playlist.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Instructor: Gretchen Cion
-
Class size at 4-6. Each class is two hours at $90/class. Enrollment occurs quarterly (we base our schedule on the Acalanes District academic calendar) but tuition is pro-rated depending on the day you register. If your child doesn’t absolutely love their first class, we will provide a full refund. We want your child to choose this class because purely for the joy of it!
-
*Girls includes all gender-expansive youth
-
For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.
REGISTER FOR
SUMMER 2021
Dystopia!
World-building for rising 6th-8th graders, all genders
Are you interested in world-building futuristic realities and creating characters that are up against the odds? Are you looking for a way to process life in the pandemic? Welcome to Dystopia!, a class where we will explore the fundamentals of dystopian writing from character archetypes and power dynamics to systemic obstacles in our imagined societies. Writers will craft intricate plotlines that have both clarity and dimension, finding inspiration in current events and societal issues. We will learn craft moves like pacing and external character detailing from revered dystopian authors like Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood and George Orwell.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Instructor: Gretchen Cion
-
Class size at 4-6. Each class is an hour and half at $70/class. Enrollment occurs quarterly (we base our schedule on the Acalanes District academic calendar) but tuition is pro-rated depending on the day you register. If your child doesn’t absolutely love their first class, we will provide a full refund. We want your child to choose this class because purely for the joy of it!
-
For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.
REGISTER FOR
SUMMER 2021
Inspirations: Intersection of Art & Writing
Creative writing for rising 6th-8th graders, all genders
Are you enlivened by the creative process, whether crafting a story or creating a sculpture? Do you enjoy imagining backstory as you draw a character from scratch? In this class we will explore a variety of artistic media from iconic artists like Niki de Saint Phalle, Hayao Miyazaki, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Frida Kahlo. Our explorations and conversations will then serve as inspiration for our writing.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that all feedback be positive, and that our writing voice will continually grow clearer and stronger, the more it is validated and encouraged.
Instructor: Gretchen Cion
-
Class size at 4-6. Each class is two hours at $90/class. Enrollment occurs quarterly (we base our schedule on the Acalanes District academic calendar) but tuition is pro-rated depending on the day you register. If your child doesn’t absolutely love their first class, we will provide a full refund. We want your child to choose this class because purely for the joy of it!
-
For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.
REGISTER FOR
SUMMER 2021
Fan-Fic & World Melding Writing Camp
Open to all incoming 5th, 6th and 7th graders, all genders
This class is for the ones who can’t get enough of Keeper of the Lost Cities (or Spirit Animals, or Warriors, or Harry Potter or Percy Jackson). For the ones who dream up scenarios for Sophie or Harry or Percy or even Katniss, and for the ones who want to mash up beloved worlds to create something entirely their own. We’ll explore plot, character, elements of world-building, humor and pacing in this week long, in-person, summer writing intensive. Classes are held in a safe outdoor space with plenty of room for social distancing.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that spoken and written voices can only grow clearer and stronger with practice and validation and that positive feedback and encouragement are pathways to lifelong creative freedom.
Instructor: Anne Marie Feld Lowell
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Camp meets for 2 hours/day, 10AM—12PM, June 7—11, 2021, $450 for the week
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For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.
REGISTER FOR
SUMMER 2021
Word Lovers, Unite! Writing Camp
Open to all incoming 5th, 6th and 7th graders, all genders
This class is for the kids with ink-stained fingers, the ones who are frantically typing, even though it’s long past time to go to bed. It’s for the kids who have to be reminded to look up from their books as they walk out of the library, and the ones who play out scenarios with their favorite characters as they go to sleep. Our in person, week long summer writing intensive for elementary and middle-schoolers is designed to build confidence and community among the word-obsessed, bolstering writing chops while blurring the lines between writing and play. We’ll dabble in different formats from MadLibs to epistolary, use video and photography to spark writing, and play games to strengthen the writer’s voice and build a writing community, all in a safe outdoor space with plenty of room for social distancing.
As with all our programs, we use the Amherst Writing Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer, that spoken and written voices can only grow clearer and stronger with practice and validation and that positive feedback and encouragement are pathways to lifelong creative freedom.
Instructor: Anne Marie Feld Lowell
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Camp meets for 2 hours/day, 10AM—12PM, June 14-18, 2021, $450 for the week
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For questions or to talk in more depth, contact our Director of Programs, Melissa Quiter.