Writer's Club

On Thursday I began a writer's club for 5th graders at my school.  The students were very receptive to the idea.  It was satisfying to see students talking to me the day before about being excited to join.  I figured I'd have a few girls from my class, but I had some students from each class and over a fourth of the group was boys.  It was such an amazing sight to see us all working away on our ideas.  I looked around for a moment and I saw three boys writing furiously and sketching their comics, a couple girls were writing a collaborative story, and a boy was mouthing words as he tried to wrap his mind around what he wanted to write.  We ended our meeting with a little share time.  Each person explained what they were working on.  

When it was my time to share, I explained how I am starting a series about humans visiting another planet and finding life similar to ours.  The life is much more intelligent than we are, yet they do not use technology.  It is a simpler, more peaceful form of life.  The first book will be about us going to visit them and stay for an extended time.  The second book will be about their visit with us.  The final book will be about the war.  As history shows us, mixing cultures often leads to conflict.  Can you guess who the aggressor is in this situation?  

The students faces just lit up as I was explaining my ideas.  I felt if I could have written the book during that 20 minutes, they would have been begging for copies.  That excitement provides for some powerful fuel for me to write it.  I've had this idea for many years, but I haven't been motivated or confident enough to write it.  It sounds very science fiction, but it does not feel that way to me.  In the end, it is a story about humanity: my favorite topic.

After the meeting I went to pick up my students and some of them spread the news about my story.  All the kids asked if they could have a signed copy when I'm done.  If I can pursue this venture, they will be the first people to have a copy in their hands.  What an empowering feeling to think that my words could encourage students to read.

My Muse

I go back to work tomorrow and for the first time, I don't feel like the world may end.  I'm actually kind of excited to see my students.  I think sometimes I get bogged down in the issues and forget to enjoy how amazing some of these kids are.  I'm going to try to focus more on those moments rather than the negative ones.

Thinking about my kids today caused a few other thoughts to swim through my mind.  First, what if I start a writer's club.  It would be very simple.  Each Thursday students that want to write can join me at recess and we will all just write.  It won't be a class, but just a workshop for those that have big ambitions like I do.  I know a few of my students want to write books/comics and I can open it up to all 5th graders.  It would force me to write which is always good.

The second thought was one that I've had before.  Maybe I really should write children's literature.  I remember when I was thinking about participating in the national novel writing month I mentioned it to my students.  They said I should write a book about them, lol.  I don't know if I want to do that, but I would enjoy writing a book that they would read.  I'm going to think about this idea a little more before I commit to it.  

All of this stemmed from finding out something about one of my very special students.  She is going to face some changes and challenges this year.  I feel inspired by her because the word she picked for her resolution is publish.  I think we might have to be a team that pushes each other to reach our goals.  Through that, I am hoping I can help her with her struggles as well.