The Program
The authors of Finding Your Voice offer in-school enrichment programs and workshops that combine three major creative forces: writing, illustrating and music. In addition to fostering creativity, the program also aids in the development of sequencing skills, strengthens literacy and writing skills, integrates music and art as part of the multifaceted creative process, sharpens critical and inferential thinking skills and extols self-expression. These workshops are tailored to elementary, middle and high schools as well as modeled for teacher enrichment.
Enrichment Programs and Workshops include, but are not limited to the following:
- 45-90 minute Enrichment Program
- Half-Day, Hands-on Workshops
- The Four Workshop Series
This program covers topics such as brainstorming, modeling of writing strategies, story mapping, differentiated illustration styles, publishing and a “formula” for writing lyrics and music. Workshop concludes with an open question and answer session.
Half-day workshop programs also include hands-on creative writing and illustration exercises that emphasize different models and styles, a reading of Finding Your Voice and a live performance of the song “A Voice” followed by a question and answer session.
The four workshop series offers an “individual classroom experience” that guides each class through the steps needed to write and illustrate a 500 word (or less) picture book manuscript. Each class receives a hardbound copy of their book and a song based on the story that is composed and recorded by Elisa Varano and Jenny Shannon.
All programs are tied to core curriculum content standards and based upon your schools needs, goals and objectives.