Adventures in Creative Writing field trips are unforgettable 2-hour experiences where 3rd-12th graders develop their writing skills in meaningful and creative ways. At our colorful literacy center, students write and read as a whole group, in small groups, and as individuals, working with our friendly, supportive writing coaches. They read sample work aloud, discuss it as a group, and write their own prose or poetry. At the end of the session, they share their writing with the class to enthusiastic applause. (Just ask any past participant about the joy of wearing The Pencil Costume!) When the session is over, they go home with blank journals so they can keep writing -- and, a week or so later, they receive published copies of the entire class's work, illustrated with photos of the day, to keep and share.
Thank you for what you taught me. Now every time I write or read a story I think of you guys. Thank you also for giving us the blank books. Overall, thank you for brightening up my life.
- Kori, 7th Grade
I really had a good time that day. I felt like I really had a career in writing stories. I wish I can come back because I wrote like I never did before. Thank you again for all your help.
- Maria, 7th Grade
A good day was that I came to Open Books, and I’m here having fun. I’m having fun because people are reading and getting good at reading.
- Shontrail, 8th Grade
Thank you for helping us find how we can be such good writers. I also would like to thank you all for letting us go expressing ourselves in writing. I learned a lot at Open Books. I learned that when you read, you read with feeling.
- Pierce, 7th Grade
I'm so appreciative of how you invited the 7th grade to Open Books. I am thankful for what you have given to us. You have taught me and my class the importance of how we write and read books. Thank you and I hope I can see you all again.
- JaQuese, 7th Grade
Thank you Open Books for: Letting us have fun. Letting us past the door. Allowing me to express myself. Telling us that a sad, bad, and happy, crazy can bring the good out of us. Letting me write about something and not being embarrassed.
- Fantasia, 7th Grade
This was a great opportunity to complement this week's launch of the writing workshop for my class. My students were able to see other adults interested in what they had to write, coaching them through one of the hardest subjects, writing. I'm excited my class was included in the Open Books program. Seeing my students engaged in writing, to go further; excited about writing is a great moment for any teacher. Thank for your efforts and vision.
- CPS Teacher
I wish we had more time. This field trip was well worth the time.
- CPS Teacher
What a great program. It is not often that our students get to have their own writing coach. This really helps the students to write.
- CPS Teacher
Thank you for hosting a field trip for my 8th grade students. The program exceeded any of my expectations. I know the students enjoyed the experience as much as I did.
- CPS Teacher
Thank you for giving us the stories so we can follow up where needed. This has been a very good experience for all the students. All classes have returned feeling it was a good experience. I hope they see beyond the day, how writing is important and how it may serve them.
- CPS Principal
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How It Works
Every Adventures in Creative Writing field trip is a little different, but they all have some great features in common. Read about the general structure!
1) Greeting, introductions, and ground rules
2) Introduction to the goal of the field trip: every student has a story to tell, and today they will be writing it -- for publication!
3) Performance, part 1: Dramatically awful and fantastic readings of The Unwritten by W.S. Merwin
4) Discussion: what makes a good performance?
5) Group reading and discussion of example pieces
6) Brainstorming and writing warmup exercises
7) Writing time
8) Performance, part 2: First-ever readings of stories by their proud new authors
9) Surveys, The Author Pledge, Gifts, and Wrap-Up
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Genres Offered
Prose
We offer five separate prose tracks, keyed to the five Ws of writing. See the details!
Who?
Important People In Our Lives
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpts from Matilda by Roald Dahl, Holes by Louis Sachar, and/or Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a loved one using direct and indirect characterization.
For Middle / High School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpts from The Incident activity by Open Books, Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman, and/or Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Writing Prompt: Write a story on an event in your life from your perspective AND the perspective of someone who was there with you. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Where?
Important Places In Our Lives
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpts from Harriet the Spy by Louise Fizhugh, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and/or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a place that is important to you.
For Middle / High School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpts from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and/or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a place that is important to you.
Why?
Important Lessons We Have Learned
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces: A selection of fables plus an excerpt from Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Writing Prompt:Write a story about a time that you made a mistake or did something wrong, and tell us the lesson you learned from the experience. Give your reader some good advice.
For Middle / High School Students
Example Pieces: A selection of fables plus excerpts from A Good Reason to Look Up by Shaquille O’Neal and/or Mary Lou by Lynne Zielinski
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a time that you made a mistake or did something wrong, and tell us the lesson you learned from the experience. Give your reader some good advice.
When?
Important Moments In Our Lives
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Writing Prompt: Write a story stretching a moment in time by incorporating sensory details and using descriptive adjectives.
For Middle / High School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpt from The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a moment in time using a Plot Rollercoaster (conflict, exposition/introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution/conclusion) to stretch your moment.
What?
Important Objects In Our Lives
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces: Excerpts from Matilda by Roald Dahl and/or Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Writing Prompt: Write a story about a special object in your life using descriptive language, similes, and metaphors.
Traditional Poetry
Our traditional poetry tracks focus on imagery and perspective. See the details!
For Elementary School Students
Example Pieces (1): Good Hot Dogs by Sandra Cisneros and Which is the Best? by James Stevenson
Writing Prompt (1): Write a poem about a food that you really love or really hate using lots of vivid imagery. Try not to name the food; see if we can guess what it is!
Example Pieces (2): Selections from Tan to Tamarind: Poems about the Color Brown by Malathi Michelle Iyengar.
Writing Prompt (2): Write a poem using figurative language to describe the colors that you see in the mirror. What makes your skin color, hair color, or eye color unique?
For Middle School Students
Example Pieces: Examples of similes and metaphors, Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins
Writing Prompt: Write a poem in the style of Billy Collins using simile and metaphor to describe an activity or process you know how to do.
For High School Students
Example Pieces: Lyrics from Nothing Better by The Postal Service, excerpt from Someone Puts A Pineapple Together by Wallace Stevens
Writing Prompt: Write a poem in the style of Wallace Stevens, describing one object from multiple perspectives using simile and metaphor. Each poem must be on a single object and not use the object’s name in the text of the poem.
Slam Poetry
With an emphasis on performance as well as poetry, our Slam workshops are always a hit. See the details!
Example Pieces (vary based on student age): I Can’t Read by Lamont Carey, Being HUMAN by Naima Penniman, Hip Hop Saved My Life by Lupe Fiasco, Kick Push by Lupe Fiasco, Totally Like Whatever, You Know? by Taylor Mali, Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty, Hands by Sarah Kay, Jellyfish by Sarah Kay, Somewhere There is a Poem by Gina Loring, You Move Me by Gina Loring Writing Prompt: Varies, depending on example pieces used and student ages.
College Writing (NEW!)
Calling all high school teachers!
This fall, join Open Books as we premiere a brand new journey: Adventures in College Writing! See the details!
These three-hour mini seminars will help your ignite your students' imaginations and prepare them for their most important writing assignment yet: the personal essay. Open Books makes college writing a fun, engaging activity for students, helping them to discover the best stories to include on their applications and how to successfully complete this daunting process.
Choose from three workshop options:
1. The Mini Essay: Answering Short Essay Prompts
2. Personal Statement A: Choosing the Best Topic and Outlining
3. Personal Statement B: Writing and Editing
Cost: $7 per student; 70 student maximum.
Adventures in College Writing field trips are available for 10th-12th grade students.
Interested? Email literacy@open-books.org today!
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Educators: Bring Your Classes!
Sign up here to bring your class for an Adventures In Creative Writing field trip!
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