| Program Type | Workshop | Residency |
| Art Form | Literary Arts & Storytelling |
| Curriculum Connections | Character Education | Social and Emotional Learning | Language Arts / Literacy |
| Target Grades | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
View Artist & Programs
Testimonial
"Leslie has been coming into our classes for years now and our students have loved every minute! She has supported our Fairytale unit with fantastic results. Our students are enthralled during each lesson and can't believe how fast time flies. During our unprecedented pandemic year, Leslie was flexible and creative as we brought her 'into' our classroom via Google. Our students were still able to strengthen their writing skills and enjoy every moment!"
-Melissa, Third Grade Teacher, Suffield
-Melissa, Third Grade Teacher, Suffield
Description
“Fiction Writing Fun!” is a portfolio writing program designed by Teaching Artist Leslie Johnson. Students create original characters and explore elements of fiction such as character description, setting, emotion, action, and story structure. This program builds descriptive and narrative writing skills in a fun way! Leslie guides students through the process with interactive, arts-infused exercises, and students share their creations through reading, illustration, and classroom theater performance. Teachers can choose realistic fiction, fairytales, or folktales for their residency.
Objectives
In this program students will:
1) learn about fictional elements -- such as character, setting, emotion, action, and story structure -- and apply them in their own original scenes and stories;
2) develop skills of effective description, such as sensory detail, figurative language, active verbs, and concrete word choice;
3) strengthen their ability to read, write and interpret fictional texts.
1) learn about fictional elements -- such as character, setting, emotion, action, and story structure -- and apply them in their own original scenes and stories;
2) develop skills of effective description, such as sensory detail, figurative language, active verbs, and concrete word choice;
3) strengthen their ability to read, write and interpret fictional texts.
Pricing Information
$715/day — residencies of 3 to 5 days
Program Length
This is a three to five day residency. Leslie meets for one hour with each class on each day.
Participants
This residency is for classrooms with up to 25 students per class and a maximum of four classes total.
Technical Specifications
• Set Up: If possible, I can enter the classroom 5 minutes early to set up.
• Break: 10 mins
• Strike: 5-10 mins
• Program Space: I need: 1) some clear "stage space" at the front of the classroom for sharing and performance; 2) white board (preferable) or chart paper and markers for a collaborative character drawing exercise ; 3) some empty table space for my materials
• Electricity/Wi-Fi: I need access to an electrical outlet for my microphone.
• Audiovisual/Tech: Smartboard and overhead projector are not required but nice to use if available.
• Tables/Chairs: Students need to be seated in their chairs at desks or tables.
• Outside Possible: No
• Venue-Provided Supplies: Pre-sharpened pencils, writing paper and plain white drawing paper (copy paper is good), crayons and/or colored pencils. If possible: folders for students to save their work from each session.
• Mobility/Location Needs: I need to park my car at the school. I need a ramp or elevator for my rolling cart of materials or assistance in carrying materials up stairs if necessary. I usually move class to class, but if one room for the whole day is available, that's okay, too.
• Other: Please have
• Break: 10 mins
• Strike: 5-10 mins
• Program Space: I need: 1) some clear "stage space" at the front of the classroom for sharing and performance; 2) white board (preferable) or chart paper and markers for a collaborative character drawing exercise ; 3) some empty table space for my materials
• Electricity/Wi-Fi: I need access to an electrical outlet for my microphone.
• Audiovisual/Tech: Smartboard and overhead projector are not required but nice to use if available.
• Tables/Chairs: Students need to be seated in their chairs at desks or tables.
• Outside Possible: No
• Venue-Provided Supplies: Pre-sharpened pencils, writing paper and plain white drawing paper (copy paper is good), crayons and/or colored pencils. If possible: folders for students to save their work from each session.
• Mobility/Location Needs: I need to park my car at the school. I need a ramp or elevator for my rolling cart of materials or assistance in carrying materials up stairs if necessary. I usually move class to class, but if one room for the whole day is available, that's okay, too.
• Other: Please have