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Writing by the Water

Summer Camps and Classes

Small Group Summer Writing

While the summer holidays provides a much-needed break, it's also a great opportunity for students to gain more practice with writing in a more relaxed setting and to avoid the "summer slide" by helping them stay on top and prepared for the next school year.

In these summer classes, we will establish a weekly theme and have students practice their reading and writing through a variety of activities. 

Students will:

  • read stories to discuss theme and relevance

  • write about the stories read

  • learn about the structure of different forms of writing including expository, description, persuasive, and reflective 

  • practice writing with each form to develop paragraphs and essays.

This will be the general lesson plan for all ages and content and level of complexity will vary with each age group. 

Maxium 4 students in each class. 

Dates and Times

Duration
Location
Cost

Every Thursday in July
July 4, 11, 18, 25
Please see registration link for specific class times.

45 min-1hr15 min/week depending on age group

in person
Classes will be held in Vancouver location (near Kerrisdale/Oakridge area).

Please click on registration link for more info.

Registration

Please click on registration link.

What's the Point? (Grades 5-10)

This online course teaches students to read "further" by reflecting, questioning, and evaluating to develop awareness of self as a reader and as a writer.

In this course, students will learn to inquire, respond and deepen understanding of text by: 

  • making predictions, inferences and drawing conclusions using context clues 

  • considering alternative viewpoints 

  • drawing connections 

  • questioning the author’s viewpoint and intent 

  • stating opinions with supporting reasons and explanations 

Types of text can include: short stories, speeches, poetry, songs, editorials, ads, online media, TED Talks, editorial cartoons, Illustrations and infographics 


Students will be encouraged to exchange and build on others’ ideas to create shared understanding and record their ideas, questions, and thoughts in a reading journal.  By the end of this course, your child will learn to read more critically and build context around what they read which will prepare them for success in their high school years and beyond.

Dates and Times

Duration
Location
Cost

July 22-August 7
Every Mon Wed Fri
Starting Mon July 22 and ending Wed Aug 7
10:45am-12:00pm

8 sessions (1hr15min/session)
3 weeks

online

$ 379 +GST

Registration

Please fill out the form.

Details, Details, Details (Grades 4-8)

This online course teaches students to apply writing and thinking strategies to elaborate on their narrative/creative writing skills.

Core competencies in Language Arts intermediate years require students to expand on the narrative structure and apply literary elements into their writing. In this live online course, students will learn to: 

  • define theme and the power of the narrative 

  • deconstruct the plot line 

  • paint the setting  

  • craft the character 

  • create the conflict 

  • determine the a-ha moment 

  • add the final touches 

  • collaborate and present ideas to others 

By the end of this program, your child will be equipped with the tools and strategies to effectively create narrative pieces and provide details to create engaging, thoughtful and thorough stories.

Dates and Times

Duration
Location
Cost

July 3-19, 2024
Every M W F starting Wed July 3 and ending Fri July 19
10:45am -12:00pm

8 sessions (1hr15min/session)
3 weeks

online

$ 379 +GST

Registration

Please fill out the form.

Ready to Write (Grades 5-9)

Perfecting Paragraphs and Passages

Students will learn about the structure and styles of various forms of writing such as description, expository, persuasion, and narration. Through fun and interactive activities, students will apply the writing process to practice creating paragraphs and short essays. This will be the perfect refresher writing course before the start of the new school year.

Dates and Times

Duration
Location
Cost

Aug 19-23, 2024 (M-F)
2:30-4:00 pm

1 week

Kerrisdale Community Centre
5851 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC

$180

Registration

Registration will be through the Program Registration with the City of Vancouver. You will need to create an account to sign up for community centre programs.

Journey to Creative Writing (Grades 4-8)

Craft creative stories and learn about the elements of story structure at our summer camps.

This one week camp will introduce students to the elements of the plot line and the art of storytelling. Students will learn about setting, character and plot to create descriptive and engaging fiction through fun an interactive activities. In addition to improving their writing skills, the goal for this course is to encourage and motivate students to love writing. By the end of this writing camp, your child will be equipped with the tools and strategies to effectively create narrative pieces and provide details to create engaging, thoughtful and thorough stories.

Dates and Times

Duration
Location
Cost

Aug 19-23, 2024 (M-F)
9:30-11:30 am (8-10 year olds)
11:45-1:45 pm (11-13 year old)

1 week

Kerrisdale Community Centre
5851 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC

$220

Registration

Registration will be through the Program Registration with the City of Vancouver. You will need to create an account to sign up for community centre programs.

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