Picture this: Having your ideas take shape among the rolling hills and sprawling trees that make up the historic campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Even better, imagine winning a scholarship to send you there! The Kenyon Review invites high-school students ages 16-18 to an intensive 2-week writing workshop as part of its Young Writers Program [...]
When will it be my turn? When will I have the last supper with the rest of my family and loved ones? When will I have to face my enemies and tell them, “I am ready to die and give myself to the world.” When will I take a stand? When will I realize that [...]
(inspired by Anis Mojgani’s “Direct Orders”) Wake up like there’s no tomorrow Wake up like you’ve had a bad dream Wake up like there’s a tiger racing after you Wake up like the sky is falling Wake up like your house is on fire Wake up like you’re being chased down the street Wake up [...]
Schools across the nation are signing up for Digital Learning Day, a national campaign that celebrates innovation in the classrooms on February 1st. On this day, administrators, teachers, parents, and students everywhere will unite to discuss the ways in which technology has revolutionized the curriculum and exchange ideas on how to improve computer literacy. Started [...]
Three Writers in the Schools (WITS) students at Helms Elementary (HISD) will have their winning poems published in the Young Writers of America Annual Students Anthology! Congratulations to 3rd graders Joshua Martinez, Bella Corona, and Emily De Leon, who are students in Ms. Jennifer Martinez’s class and work weekly with Writers in the Schools (WITS) [...]
Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Young People presents Christopher Paul Curtis, on Sunday, January 15th, at Johnson Middle School Auditorium in Houston, TX. This FREE event for parents and their children features the acclaimed author of middle grade books such as Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. Curtis is the first African-American [...]
What: WITS Writer Deborah K. Frontiera celebrates the release of her memoir, Fighting CPS. When: Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 3-5 PM Where: River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer @ River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX 77098, ph. 713-520-0061 Cost: Free and open to the public More about the author Deborah Frontiera grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula [...]
When I walk down my street I hear pit bulls barking and it scares me I see teenagers hanging out on the corner and it scares me Everyone knows my grandma so they leave me alone She says just mind my own business and keep walking. By Shantee, 3rd grade
Every summer Writers in the Schools (WITS) partners with Rice School Literacy and Culture Project (SLC) to host Summer Creative Writing Workshops across the city of Houston. We are pleased to let you know about their January Early Literacy Conference, which takes place this Saturday, January 14th, at Rice University. If you value creativity in [...]
Writers in the Schools (WITS) congratulates poet Sonia Sanchez, recently named the new poet laureate of Philadelphia. Mayor Michael Nutter awarded the 77-year-old poet this honor for her work as a poet, teacher, and activist. She currently lives in West Philadelphia and acts as the poet in residence at Temple University where she is a [...]
FROM OUR FRIENDS at Young Playwrights Inc. Do you know a young playwright, under the age of 18? National Playwriting Competition Deadline: January 2, 2012 Young Playwrights Inc. is holding a competition for playwrights under the age of 18. The winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to attend the Young Playwrights [...]
Wishing you love, peace, and blankets, Your friends at Writers in the Schools
In front of me was a great big bear! He was brown and big and fluffy. As I rushed back to camp, the bear asked me a question and I thought, is it me? Or did that bear just speak? And he said, “Why does every person run away from me?” And I said, “Well [...]
Light the glittering candles Chant the ancient prayers Spin the colorful dreidels Eat the crunchy latkes Sing a holiday song Remember a Jewish miracle Tear open a hundred gifts! By Sam
Dance like your feet want Dance like the color red Dance like a summer night Dance like hot sauce Dance like you love yourself Dance like your hair’s on fire Dance like there’s no tomorrow Dance like there is a tomorrow and you’ll see me by Ebony, 16
