Word Street Offers Free Series of Writing Workshops
PITTSFIELD — Word Street, a drop-in tutoring and literary arts center at 163 North Street has scheduled new writing workshops. Each workshop is free for students, but registration is required.Saturday, March 22, noon-2
"Choose Your Own Writing Adventure," with Ben Latini.
Students will begin with a broad writing prompt to get them started, and then, at regular intervals, they'll engage in a prompt that turns the story in an entirely new direction. The plot choices they make determines which prompt each will receive. By the end of the session, each writer will have a completed story that has taken many turns. Limited to six students in Grades 4-8.
Wednesday, March 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
"The College Application Essay: A Jumpstart for Juniors," with Frank Tempone
Students are invited to take this four-part course and get a head start on the college application process. Each student will engage in writing exercises that reflect on the self. By the end of the workshop, each student will have completed two college application essays that can be modified slightly to fit most colleges' essay prompts. Workshop continues on April 2, 9 and 16. Limited to 10 high school juniors. A $25 deposit is required to hold a spot, which will be refunded at the workshop's completion.
Thursday, March 27, 4-5:30 p.m.
"The Middle School Writers Workshop," with Paul Carmon
Students are invited to participate in a weekly writing workshop and critique session. Each week will feature a new writing activity, a revision of the past week's writing, and a discussion of the latest in adolescent literature. Each student will accumulate a portfolio of creative work and be given several opportunities for publication. Meets every Thursday, beginning March 27. Word Street will still continue to meet with its Monday middle school group from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and is welcoming new participants.
Saturday, March 29, 1-4 p.m.
"Film Fun from Writing to Production," with Keith Harrison
Participants will view a series of movies, looking at particular elements of production and will accumulate several ideas to turn into a short film. Students will gain experience in production and editing of short films. Limited to seven high school students; meets every Saturday.
Saturday, May 3, 1-3 p.m.
"Writing Your Wild Side," with Lori Desrosiers
This writing workshop for teens concentrates on exploring emotive language and humor. Each student will write from prompts taken from some of the great slam poets such as Taylor Mali, Patricia Smith, Jack McCarthy, and others. The workshop will help each participant create one or several poems, or the beginning of a short story. Limited to 10 students, age 12 and up.
Word Street is staffed by state-licensed teachers and professional writers ready to help students with anything related to reading and writing across the curriculum. The writing center is equipped with comfortable work spaces, a readers and writers' library of thousands of titles, high-speed Internet access, printing and copying capabilities, school supplies and a snack pantry. Students are tutored, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis and focus on the student's specific needs, homework or school project. Word Street is open regularly Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Parents interested in finding out more about programming should call Executive Director Frank Tempone at 997-3307.
Word Street is an educational nonprofit fund, thanks to the fiscal guidance of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Free drop-in tutoring is possible, in part, because of the generosity of the Berkshire Bank Foundation, Dave Eggers, and tax-deductible donations. Visit Word Street at www.wordstreet.org.
