Courses

Pi in the Sky Workshop (Workshop 4): (May 9, 16, Jun 6, 13 & 20, 2022  5 weeks)
What is genre? Is this science fiction or fantasy or…? Come and join the debate!
How can we use comics and objects to explore genre?
The first three weeks of the workshop we will use the novel as our point of reference while the last two weeks will be devoted to comics and activities looking at genre as a whole.

You will need access to a copy of Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass to read (conventionally or on audiobook). 

May 9: Acknowledgements, “What You Need to Know” and Chapters 1-10

May 16: Chapters 11-17

June 6: Chapters 18-26 and “Author’s Note”

June 13 and 20: Comics and Genre

(5 weeks): $85 (one price for the whole family!)

Taken together, these workshops allow students to explore genre while discussing novels and engaging in a wide range of meaningful activities. We will be exploring how history and science are brought to life and changed through the lens of fiction, experimenting with different ways of shifting our perceptions of ability, playing with humorous literary devices, reading comics together, and wrapping up the semester with the creation of a comic (or other creative interpretation) in a genre of our choice. Alongside these activities, we will also be playing games with vocabulary and orally practicing the foundations of strong sentence construction using the Hochman Method.

These workshops are designed to meet the needs of all students whether they consume their literature through their eyes or their ears. This workshop does not require any writing nor visual reading while still providing an age appropriate English class.

Workshop 1: (Feb 7-Mar 7, 2020 4 weeks)
What is genre?
How can we use comics to explore genre?
Combine the answers to explore Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat!

You will need access to a copy of Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat to read Chapters 1-5 for Feb 28, and Chapter 6-11 for Mar 7. (You can read the book or listen to it being read on Youtube!)

Workshop 2: (Mar 14, 21, & 28, 2022  3 weeks)  The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman

What is genre? How can we use comics to explore genre?
How is history brought to life and changed through the lens of fiction?
Combine the answers to explore The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman!

You will need access to a copy of The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman to read Chapters 1-6 for Mar 14, Chapters 7-13 for Mar 21, and Chapters 14-17 (and the Author’s Note) for Mar 28. (You can read the book or listen to it being read on Youtube!)

Workshop 3: (Apr 4, 11, 25 & May 2, 2022  4 weeks) Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

What is genre? How can we use comics to explore genre?
How can we experiment with different ways of shifting our perceptions of ability?
Combine the answers to explore Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper!

You will need access to a copy of Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper to read Chapters 1-8 for Apr 4, Chapters 9-16 for Apr 11, Chapters 17-24 for Apr 25, and Chapters 25-33 for May 2. (You can read the book or listen to it being read on audiobook!)