To See a World in a Grain of Sand - Crafting and Appreciating Short Stories (Year 7-10)

Workshop Summary:

This full-day workshop aims to develop students’ creative writing skills through keen observation and exploration of the natural world. Students will develop skills in short story writing through learning how to develop well-rounded characters and using symbolism. They will then be guided to explore the venue and locate items that mirror human life and experiences, and learn to articulate such abstract ideas into writing. 

Students will also learn to appreciate and analyse each other’s writing through a systematic explanation on writing coherent and structured PEEL paragraphs, and in the process, understand the essence of the subjectivity of English writing and seeing fiction as a means to ‘see a world in a grain of sand’ 

The following skills will be covered:

• Developing rounded characters in creative writing

• Structuring short stories with depth 

• Comprehending and exploring abstract and philosophical ideas 

• Reinforcing understanding of key conventions in analytical writing

• Developing a sustained argument

This workshop is designed for gifted students in grades 7-10 and is suitable for students who enjoy creative writing and would like to learn to better explore and articulate abstract ideas in their writing. 

NSW Creative Kids Voucher:

The NSW Creative Kids voucher is approved to be used for this workshop. If you have one, please apply the following coupon codes at the registration page and email us your creative vouchers at info@lyceumcentre.com

• If using 1 creative kids voucher: enter 50Creative in coupon code box

• If using 2 creative kids vouchers: enter 100Creative in coupon code box

Don’t forget to email us your digital voucher(s) as well after registration.

The workshop will be led by Ms Wong:

Ms Wong was a high school English teacher and is a tutor and mentor for gifted students worldwide from countries including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and the UK. More than a quarter of her current students are twice-exceptional students with either ADHD/ autism, or both. Ms Wong achieved first-class honours in her studies of English literature and linguistics in her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hong Kong, and graduated with a Masters Degree in Gifted Education from UNSW with excellence, as well as a Masters of Education (Research). Her research interests include twice-exceptionality and socio-emotional development of gifted students and has published her research in the Australasian Journal of Gifted Education. Ms Wong is also a volunteer mentor for Aurora College and is mentoring a regional student in publishing his own fiction.