BASIC BLURBS FOR BARRY'S WORKSHOPS

These are basic blurbs that schools can use
 when writing copy for flyers or brochures.

Putting Voice and Passion in Non-Fiction Writing

There are no boring subjects, only boring writers. ~ Barry Lane

Teaching non-fiction writing with voice is a challenge. Assigned research reports often turn out sounding as though they were written by the famous author from his/her CD Rom, and the students' own voices are disguised beneath layers of objective information they have dutifully unearthed. Likewise, assigned position papers consist of arguments that sound more like grocery lists than impassioned, logical inquiries. Many books and seminars on non-fiction writing teach rigid formulas for success at such assignments but few address the real problem: how to help our students find their own unique voices when writing about subjects outside of themselves. This session, based on Barry's book (with Gretchen Bernabei), Why We Must Run With Scissors, will show you techniques for helping students grades 3-12 discover their own voices and craft them into eloquent, smart, funny, sad, audacious, papers that reach the hearts and minds of their readers.

Revision: How to Teach it, Learn it, Love it!

"They love to write, but how do I get them to love revision?"

Revision is an ongoing, creative process, not simply the act of correcting a rough draft. Yet, many students groan or go limp at the prospect for revising their work. This idea-packed session, based on Barry Lane's 2 books, After THE END and Revisers Toolbox, will send you back to the classroom with scores of practical techniques and exercises to show students how to love revision as much as professional writers do. Teachers of all grade levels will leave inspired by Barry Lane's stories and songs and practical tips.

Writing and Laughing Across the Curriculum

Humor is truth, only quicker. ~ Gilda Radner

What is humor and how can teachers of all subjects and all grade levels use it to engage students and improve performance in reading and writing. In this session, Barry Lane, author of 51 Wacky We-search Reports, will reveal at least 3 basic truths about humor and many practical tips of how to use it in the classroom. So stop laughing and pay attention.

The Art of Wacky We-search:  Face the Facts with Fun   Grades 2-12

Who says research reports have to be dry and boring?   Trade in the dump truck essay for something far more meaningful and fun and meet the State Standards in the process. Based on Barry's best-selling non-fiction children's book , 51 Wacky We-search Reports,  this  session will give you scores of ideas for transforming research writing assignments in your class. 

Hooked on Meaning:   Best  Tips for Succeeding at, and not Succumbing to Writing Tests 

Prompted Writing tests are a painful reality in today's schools.   How do we teach students to succeed at these inauthentic assignments and learn something about the craft of writing at the same time?  How do we avoid the textbook formulas that kill students voices and have fun with writing tests?  Based on ideas from his new DVD/VHS program  Hooked on Meaning, Barry Lane will show you his best tricks for helping all students succeed with prompted tests.

Growing Stories from Characters

The best stories grow from a character's troubles and dreams, not the plot. This session teaches a well tested series of activities that lead young writers to explore character before they have written one word on the page.

Discovering the Writer Within:   A Writing Retreat or Memoir Session To Go

Barry has conducted many writing retreats, from 1 hour to 5 days.  Based on his 2 books, Writing as a Road to Self Discovery and Discovering the Writer Within, this workshop begins the process of probing the past to craft memories into stories, poems and essays. This workshop works best as a full day program but can be reduced to a 2 hour session.