Children's Bill of Rights Course
Teaching
How ToSTUDENT STORIES
Creative Writing
Connect The Thoughts curricula and staff work very hard to encourage and support the creative efforts of students everywhere. Where will the future great writers come from? Who will write the next great novel or short story, song or poem, movie or television show? Why not our Creative Writing students?! We believe in them and in their creative ideas and vision. Here, you will find the work of those of our students who wish to share their writings with the world. Each work is titled, and the student’s name and age follows. Then, you’ll be able to read their story or poem. We will leave each story up so long as the site exists and we are able to do so, so that you can come back here next year, or the year after that, search for and find your work, the work of your student, or your child!
This page is for you, the student who has a love of writing, or who is developing such a love. Here is your chance to share your great stories and poems and creative writings with family, friends and perfect strangers. Here is your chance to show off! Here’s your chance to share your writing with relatives and pen pals and friends who live far away.
Almost every creative writing piece you send us will be published here. Very few may not be accepted because of too many bad words. We also can’t publish stories that attack a group of people, such as a religious or national group. Nor can we publish a story that attacks a living person. If we turn down a story because of these reasons, we will write you and let you know. It is very unlikely that many of your works will be turned down. Expect to see your great writing in print (or at least on the screen)!
creative
Creative WritingWelcome to this showcase that we've set up just to display our student's wonderful creative writing works!
Connect The Thoughts has offered a Creative Writing Program since 1999, where the first courses were done by over 50 students in a private school in Los Angeles. The results were fantastic, starting many students writing who had absolutely no interest before, and so Mr. Horwich decided to expand upon the initial program.
Today, there are four full semesters of Creative Writing for students ages 5-6, and for pre-literate students who are just starting to work on literacy. These can be found as a part of our Starter program.
We offer four complete semesters just for ages 7-8, and for students who are developing literacy. These are offered as a part of our Elementary Program, and provide the added benefit of teaching the student the parts of language, while using those lessons as a springboard for creative projects.
Our following program is for Lower (ages 9-10) and Upper School (ages 11-adult). This program consists of Creative Writing I for both levels, Creative Writing II for Lower, and then Creative Writing III-V for Upper School. Altogether, these five courses should take a student about 3-4 years. We then offer a "Master's" program, seven courses, each one specialized in one media of writing, each Master's course intended to take anywhere from six months to two years.
As you can see, a student could easily start Creative Writing with us at age five, and continue through college and into a professional career, the goal of our Master's Program.
On this page, you'll find works (stories and poems, generally) written by students who are doping, or who have done, one or more of the creative writing courses mentioned above. Just enter the student's name that you're interested in reading, and his stories will appear. Or you can "browse" through the works of many students. (This program is just starting in early February 2011, so the number of available stories will no doubt grow with time.)
valentine
Valentine's DayFebruary 14th is recognized the world over as a day dedicated to love. It is named for two ancient Catholic priests (both named “Valentine”), who died for love. There are many kinds of love, of course. There is the love of a man and woman, the love of a mother or father for her children, love of parents, love of a pet, love of a certain activity or study. And there are as many kinds of poems and stories about love as can be imagined!
On this page, our students will post stories and poems based on Valentine’s Day. Many of these (perhaps all) will have been written as the student did our Creative Writing/History elective for Valentine’s Day.
You can find a certain story by running a search right here, using the child’s name, or the name of his creative writing work. It’s that simple!
At Connect The Thoughts, we believe in supporting and encouraging the creative efforts of students everywhere. This page will show you what some of our students can do with a great idea!
stpatricks
St. Patrick's DayGosh and begorrah, see what our creative writing students can do after just one kiss of the blarney stone! The students whose work is represented here each did our St. Patrick's Day course, which leads the student step-by-step through the authoring of two stories having to do with this most mystical and green of days.
On this page, our students will post stories and poems based on St. Patrick's Day. Many of these (perhaps all) will have been written as the student did our Creative Writing/History elective for St. Patrick's Day.
You can find a certain story by running a search right here, using the child's name, or the name of his creative writing work. It’s that simple!
At ConnectThe Thoughts, we believe in supporting and encouraging the creative efforts of students everywhere. This page will show you what some of our students can do with a great idea!
mothers
Mother's DayIs there anyone more important to a child? We celebrate mom every year by dedicating a day just for her. To honor and enjoy this holiday, Connect the Thoughts developed a History/Creative Writing course for Mother’s Day. Within the course, the student is asked to author two original stories for Mother’s Day, and is given guidance on how to do so. We are making this part of our Connect The Thoughts site available for their Mother’s Day stories! You can run a simple search for a certain student’s work just by entering the student’s name, or the name of his story. Or you can read stories by all the students who were published here.
At Connect The Thoughts, we strongly encourage creativity and creative efforts of behalf of our students.
halloween
HalloweenIt’s the scariest night of the year!
The last night of October, as the weather cools and nights grow long. It’s Halloween. To honor and enjoy this holiday, Connect the Thoughts developed a History/Creative Writing course for Halloween. Over 1,000 students downloaded this course in its first year! Within the course, the student is asked to author two original (scary) stories for Halloween, and is given guidance on how to do so. We are making this part of our Connect The Thoughts site available for their Halloween stories! You can run a simple search for a certain student’s work just by entering the student’s name, or the name of his story. Or you can read stories by all the students who were published here.
At Connect The Thoughts, we strongly encourage creativity and creative efforts of behalf of our students.
thanksgiving
ThanksgivingEvery year on the third Thursday in November, the people of America celebrate Thanksgiving. (A similar holiday is celebrated in Canada as well.) To honor and enjoy this holiday, Connect the Thoughts developed a History/Creative Writing course for Thanksgiving, released for the first time in 2010. Over 2,200 students downloaded this course in its first year! Within the course, the student is asked to author two original stories for Thanksgiving, and is given guidance on how to do so. We are making this part of our Connect The Thoughts site available for their Thanksgiving stories! You can run a simple search for a certain student’s work just by entering the student’s name, or the name of his story. Or you can read stories by all the students who were published here.
At Connect The Thoughts, we strongly encourage creativity and creative efforts of behalf of our students.
christmas
ChristmasEvery year around the world, many people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. December 25th is the day that has been set aside for one of the most beloved holidays, Christmas. The songs, the presents, the tales of days long ago! And the great stories and movies that Christmas has inspired; A Christmas Carol, It's A Wonderful Life, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, you name it.
Now it's time for YOU to write your own great Christmas stories!
In this course, the student first learns the history of Christmas. Then as with all our History/Creative Writing elective courses, the student is led through the steps to write two original holiday short stories. The student learns about some of the most important elements of writing, including plotting, characterization, and conflict, as he develops his own short stories step by step.
Also included is a recommended list of Christmas books and movies...and an original short story by the author of the course, an Emmy-award winning writer.
hanukkah
HanukkahIt's the festival of lights! A time of year when Jewish people around the world remember two great miracles. The first — when a small band of determined warriors defeated a powerful army and won back control of their land. The second miracle — when a lamp that had only enough oil to burn for one day burned instead for eight.
The story of Hanukkah has been told for many generations. Now its YOUR turn to write your own Hanukkah stories!
In this course, the student first learns the history of Hanukkah. Then as with all our History/Creative Writing elective courses, the student is led through the steps to write two original holiday short stories. The student learns about some of the most important elements of writing, including plotting, characterization, and conflict, as he develops his own short stories step by step.
Also included is an original short story by the author of the course, an Emmy-award winning writer.
newyears
New Year'sIt happens every year! New Year’s Day is celebrated around the world. To honor and enjoy this holiday, Connect the Thoughts developed a History/Creative Writing course for New Year’s Day. Over 1,000 students downloaded this course in its first year! Within the course, the student is asked to author two original stories for New Year’s Day, and is given guidance on how to do so. We are making this part of our Connect The Thoughts site available for their New Year’s stories! You can run a simple search for a certain student’s work just by entering the student’s name, or the name of his story. Or you can read stories by all the students who were published here.
At Connect The Thoughts, we strongly encourage creativity and creative efforts of behalf of our students.
