These fun, hands-on writing workshops have been kid-tested and teacher-approved. They take 45-60 minutes to teach, with one lesson (as noted) that takes 20 minutes to teach.  

For these hands-on writing workshops, Darleen likes to have a smaller group than her "author talks". She suggests two-four classes in one session at the most. (For her "author talks" she can speak to the entire school, if needed!) Darleen supplies the fun, the props and/or costumes and you supply the kids, paper, and pencils! Some lessons require food, as noted, which you will be expected to supply.

Take a Look at These New Writing Workshops for 2022:

I HAVE A DREAM--Students will write an essay on what their dreams are after discussing Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Dreams can be anything from changing the world like King did to getting better grades or making new friends. Even small dreams can change the world. Fun for students in grades 3rd-12th. 

PEACE POEMS--Students of all ages will write different types of peace poems based on the book, Peaceful Pieces by Anna Grossnickle Hines. Students will discuss "peace" and what it means to them and to others.  This workshop can be adjusted for most students in grades 2nd-12th. 

Here are "old new" hands-on writing workshops:
                           

TRIED-AND-TRUE HANDS-ON WRITING WORKSHOPS      

Nonfiction for Mummies-- Darleen shares a fun PowerPoint presentation about ancient Egyptian mummies. Then hands students a "fact sheet" with the actual facts they learned during the PowerPoint presentation.  Then students write a 5-paragraph nonfiction essay about what they've learned. Emphasis will be on using "headings" for research, using the three parts of an essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion, and using the "5Ws & H" as they write the body of their essay.  For students in grades 4th-7th grades.  A full 60 minutes needed for this workshop. Students never had so much fun writing a five-paragraph essay. Perfect for preparing them for upcoming state writing tests! My longest workshop but oh so fun!

Music Music Montage -- This is Darleen’s MOST REQUESTED workshop. Students in 2nd through 12th grades explore the five senses in this music-filled workshop where they interpret music in poetic montages. A feel-good, easy workshop that can be adjusted from 40 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on how many montages are written. A sure hit with students and teachers, alike.  

Famous Trees--Students will learn about Oklahoma's famous trees. Yes--Oklahoma has some famous trees that are worth writing about! Using "personification" students write a poem through a leaf's point of view using the 5 Senses and active verbs. This workshop has a quick, fun PowerPoint that goes along with it. Perfect for fall workshops when the trees are changing colors and vying for attention or for spring when trees are leafing out in all shades of green! For students in grades 3rd-6th, but can adapted for up to 12th grade.  Another hit with teachers and students!

Color Montage--similar to the above Music Montage, this workshop is based on the classic poetry book, Hailstones and Halibut Bones,by Mary O'Neill. Darleen leads students through a fun poetry workshop, using colors, the 5-Senses, and metaphors. Perfect for most grade levels and a great tie-in for art and/or art appreciation. For students in 2-12 grades.

How to Eat an Oreo Cookie -- Students in 2nd through 6th grades write an expository essay on how to eat an Oreo. You supply the Oreos and Darleen will supply the Oreo costume. A fun and tasty workshop which enforces skills in sequential and expository writing, as well as five-paragraph essays. A MOST REQUESTED workshop. 

Ready? Set? Write!—A Whole Slew of Essential Writing Skills Thrown into Four-Minute Timed Writings  --  By bringing up surprise objects from a ‘grab bag’, students in 3rd through 8th grades will have the opportunity to write in four different formats: Personal Narrative; Poetry; Character Sketches; & Personification. Mix in the five senses, similes, metaphors, dialogue, & characterization techniques and you have the recipe for creative writing success. This workshop can be adapted to fit the age level of the students. The older the students, the more skills introduced. VERY POPULAR WITH 5th GRADE UP! 

Mean, Screaming Machine -- Based on the roller coaster picture book, The Mean, Screaming Machine, by Joy Cowley, students in 3rd through 12th grades use the 5 Ws & H and the “Inverted Triangle” style of writing to write a newspaper article about a new amusement park in their town. Students will create and name their amusement parks, rides, daily entertainment, and delicious foods. You can provide cotton candy (Most Wal-Marts have large inexpensive bags!) which makes the lesson even sweeter. Especially appropriate for older elementary and middle school students. High school students have also enjoyed this lesson. Perfect for MOST GRADE LEVELS!

Animal Poems -- Students in 2nd through 6th grades write several quick and quirky animal poems based on the fun and unusual animal poetry of Douglas Florian.  Emphasis is on using adjectives, similes, and creative language. Another MOST REQUESTED workshop which and be adjusted to fit 30 to 45 minutes. For 60 minutes, this can also be combined with an In-depth Q&A session. One of my shorter workshops--can do this in 30 minutes, if time is limited.

When I was Young in (name of your town) – Based on the award-winning picture book, When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant, students in 3rd through 8th grades write a five-paragraph autobiography. Not for the older students but for younger students, Darleen wears an old-fashioned dress & bonnet costume. Hands down A TEACHER’S FAVORITE.  Many teachers combine this workshop with an “All About Me” poster or sack. 

So You Want to be a Superhero? -- Students will write a silly story about turning into a superhero using fun sound words and active verbs. Perfect for the kids who love Captain Underpants and other superheros.  Darleen provides the superhero music and the red cape, while you provide the students who want to fight injustice of all kinds--like having to eat Brussels Sprouts, having to clean their bedrooms, and having to do yucky homework. For students in 3rd - 5th grades.  Kids LOVE the super hero music that goes with this workshop!

Yummy to my Tummy – Another MOST REQUESTED workshop that is perfectly suited for students in Kindergarten to 5th grades. Students celebrate the color of their skin, eyes, and hair by writing yummy poems where they turn themselves into food from their head to their toes.  Darleen supplies the Mr. Goodbar costumeand you supply a bite-sized candy bar for each student. Fun, yummy, creative—you can’t go wrong with this student favorite. A special easy format provided just for K & 1st. Another easy format provided just for 2 & 3rd grade. Perfect for the youngest of students with formats for writing if needed.

Nonfiction-- Toad-ally Amazing Places -- This workshop covers MANY writing techniques--based on the nostalgic picture book, In My Mama's Kitchen, by Jirdine Nolen, students write an essay about a special place in their lives such as a secret hide-out, a vacation spot, a garden, etc. An all-inclusive workshop which covers nonfiction writing with narrative and descriptive techniques, the five-senses, and expository techniques. This workshop is perfect for ALL ages of students. Darleen has a special form for Pre-K & K students and another form for 1st & 2nd graders which will help them write their essays.  45-50 minutes required. One of Darleen’s favorite workshops.

Nonfiction -- Scared to Death – Based on Darleen’s picture book, Twister, students in 3rd through 12th grades write a first-person narrative story telling of a time they were ‘scared to death.’  Emphasis will be on students writing their own personal, true story written in sequence. This workshop generates LOTS of interesting stories and is the writing equivalent to sitting around the campfire sharing spooky tales. (Could be combined with making S’mores!) Perfect for ALMOST ALL GRADE LEVELS!

What If? – Based on the funny picture book, Imogene's  Antlers by  David Small, students in 3rd through 8th grades write a story about waking up to find they have grown an animal part during the night, such as a tail, wings, scales, etc. For younger students, Darleen wear’s rabbit ears. Emphasis is on sequential writing and having fun with language. A STUDENTS’ & TEACHERS’ FAVORITE.  

Almost Forgotten--In this workshop, based on the historical picture book, Almost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, students in 4th through 12th grades remember a special toy/stuffed animal/action figure that they used to love but no longer play with and write a narrative essay about that toy. Focus on sequential and descriptive writing techniques. NOTE: This workshop requires at least 50 minutes and preferably 60 minutes to teach. A long lesson BUT well worth it. Perfect for units on the Underground Railroad, too. 

Recipe for a Successful Story -- For students in 5th through 12th grades, Darleen compares writing stories to cooking. Just like a recipe with specific ingredients, a story also has ingredients and if students follow the writing recipe they’re sure to have success. By the end of this workshop, students will have completed a story outline and will be ready to write a story. By taking students, step-by-step, through this recipe, they are more able to approach writing as a process rather than one large, scary task. This workshop is especially appropriate for older students in middle school through high school, and/or gifted & talented students at the upper elementary level. A TEACHERS’ FAVORITE.  Darleen’s most in-depth workshop—requires a full 60 minutes. 

Monster Menu—This workshop is especially fun to do at Halloween time but is a TOTAL STUDENTS’ FAVORITE year round. Appropriate for 2nd through 6th grades, students use a creepy monster menu (provided by Darleen) to create their own menus for monsters. Students will feel like they’re getting away with something ‘naughty’ when creating such yucky foods as “Spaghetti and Eyeballs”, “Chocolate-covered Spiders”, and “Bloody Toenails” that they won’t realize they’re actually writing. A fun workshop that wins hands-down for creativity and ability to excite students—especially reluctant boy writers. You provide the gummy worms and Darleen provides a waitress costume. This workshop wins the ‘Slightly Gross Stamp of Approval’ Award.

Creepy Crawly Poetry--Darleen brings LIVE bugs in sealed containers to inspire creepy crawly poetry. Perfect for Halloween time. Based on Douglas Florian's picture book, Insectlopedia, students write poems using the 5 Senses. Darleen needs a 2 week-notice to do this workshop so she can collect the bugs--yuck! Kids love it! For 2nd-6th grades.

If I Were Green—Based on the picture book, Green as a Bean by Karla Kuskin, students write a poem about all the things they could be if they were something else.  Emphasis is on creativity and imagination. For older students, the technique of using adjectives and the five senses will be introduced. A fun lesson, appropriate for all ages from Kindergarten through 5th grades, with a special easy format just for K-2nd grades.

Nonfiction-- Something Beautiful -- Based on the poignant picture book, Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, students in 3rd through 12th grades write a narrative essay describing the ‘something beautiful’ in their lives. Darleen brings show-and-tell items to generate a discussion how everyone has something beautiful in their life.  A gentle and touching lesson that reinforces the value of family relationships while giving students a healthy dose of narrative writing skills. Darleen’s favorite workshop. A teachers' favorite workshop--hands down! Students love it, too!

If I Had a Dragon – Based on the picture book by Tom & Amanda Ellery, students in Kindergarten through 6th grades write an essay of what would happen if they had an unusual pet.  Since most students love animals, this is the perfect lesson to capture their attention, spark their creativity, and show them that writing can be as fun as a barrel of monkeys—or any other animal they chose to write about! A special easy-to-write format provided just for K-2nd grades. 

The Gingerbread Man Goes to School—Based on the old familiar fairy tale, students write their own fairy tale, telling what happens when they open their lunch box to find a gingerbread man who comes to life.  Focus on sequential writing and repetition.  For students in 3rd through 5th grades.  For students in 6th – 8th grades, focus can also be on dialogue, accumulation techniques, and the basics of fairy tale writing.

So Long Summer – Students in 2nd through 12th grades welcome the arrival of autumn with a goodbye poem to dear, old summer using the five senses. Based on the poetry book, Summersaults, by Douglas Florian and other summertime poetry collections, students focus on the five senses AND creating rhyme. This workshop can be adjusted to fit the passing of other seasons and makes a great tie-in for seasonal units.

So Long Autumn –see above. 

So Long Winter—see above.

My Crazy Christmas –Students in 2nd through 6th grades write an extremely SILLY story about the customs surrounding Christmas, based on the popular picture book, The Dumb Bunnies Christmas by Dav Pilkey.  This lesson can also be adjusted to fit almost any holiday. Students LOVE feeling like they’re ‘getting away with being super silly’ when teachers know what they’re really getting away with is essential writing skills. A definite crowd-pleaser, especially with younger boys who appreciate Dav Pilkey humor.

My Crazy Thanksgiving—see above

My Crazy Halloween—see above

My Crazy New Year’s Eve—see above

My Crazy Easter—see above

Nonfiction-- Extra! Extra! Read All About It! --  Students in 2nd through 8th grades write about a time they got into trouble, using newspaper techniques of the 5Ws & H and the ‘Inverted Triangle’ to make it look like a newspaper article. They’ll create such headlines as: DYLAN  DIDN’T DO DISHES! SARA SENT TO ROOM! GREYSON GOES BANANAS! Students seem to love this workshop!

Gizmos & Gadgets -- students in 3rd through 12th grades become inventors and write a five-paragraph expository advertisement about a weird & wacky invention they would like to make, explaining how they would make it, how it would work, and why a perspective customer would want to purchase this invention. Based on the nonfiction book, Mistakes that Worked, by Charlotte Foltz Jones, students are introduced to nonfiction writing skills with an ‘advertising’ twist! Fun for even the older students!

 Mr. Pusskins—Based on the picture book, Mr. Pusskins by Sam Lloyd, students in 2nd through 6th grades write a persuasive letter. A fun workshop students will enjoy which combines their love of animals (even animals who run away from home!) with a spoonful of tasty, essential writing skills. Younger students will also have the fun of drawing a “WANTED” poster to go with their letters.

Quick Classifieds—Students in 3rd through 6th grades are introduced to the classified section of newspapers, reading aloud sample classified ads. They then write their own classified ads using descriptive details and persuasive techniques to sell unusual items which Darleen pulls out of a bag, including silly things like an old boot, a holey sock, an apple with a bite taken out of it, etc. A fun newspaper format provided.

I Refuse -- This workshop is based on a silly poem written by Shel Silverstein about a child who refuses to do his chores. Students in 3rd through 8th grades write a similar rhyming poem about a chore they particularly hate doing, such as dishes, taking out the trash, mowing the yard, etc. While students air their dislike for chores, they’re learning to use strong verbs and adjectives to create a silly poem that's extremely fun to read aloud.  Students seem to love this workshop and think it's fun to write about a chore they hate!

Cute—Students write a fun story about an animal who wants to change his image. Emphasis will be on writing in sequence, using dialogue, and creating a twist or surprise ending. Based on the picture book, Cute. For students in 4-8th grades. Might work for older students, too, just haven't tried it out on high school students yet.

Recipe for an Unusual Sandwich – Students in 1st through 6th grades write a wacky recipe based on a silly poem in Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. This is one of Darleen’s shortest workshops—can be taught in 20 minutes. It can be combined with an in-depth Q&A session or the Animal Poems workshop above. Shortest Workshop Award!

Click, Clack, Moo – Based on the Caldecott Honor Book, Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, students write a story in sequence, showing what happens when their own pets go on strike.  A fun lesson your students in 4th through 6th grades will enjoy.