The FREE SPIRIT Newsletter is pleased and proud to be able to publish for the first time this article by Acadiana homeschooling mother ‘L. ‘Ailina Laranang. She lives in Lafayette with her husband and five children. She is a member of Magnolia Home Educators homeschooling group and maintains a column, “Winds of Wonder,” in AcadianaMoms magazine. Contact ‘Ailina at alaranang@gmail.com.
Crayons, Comic Strips, & Creative Writing
Through the course of my parent advisement sessions, a common complaint is, “My child is so imaginative but says she hates writing. She won’t do more than the minimum required for a passing grade!” I believe the root of the problem is, many children never learn to enjoy writing.
In homeschooling my own family, I discovered children “write” much earlier than they learn to construct words on paper. At three, my daughter, Maile, loved to color, and she loved to tell stories about the characters in her coloring book as she worked.
Maile was engaging in active composition, even if she wasn’t committing her ideas to paper in sentences and paragraphs. She experimented with character development, plotting, and conflict in her own toddler way. I helped reinforce these ideas with guiding questions and comments: “Do you think Mackie will set aside his bullying ways and learn to be a friend?” “This is such a mystery! I wonder what will happen next!”
In time, Maile graduated from coloring books to creating her own drawings. Her elaborate scenes depicted children in sticky or surprising situations. She liked to include cartoon-style speech bubbles that contained nonsense scribblings representing words. When I asked her to explain her drawings, Maile narrated a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end; she’d successfully composed an early form of creative fiction. Again, I asked questions that allowed her to expound on the story unfolding in her head.
When Maile learned to write words and sentences, single-scene drawings no longer satisfied her need for expression. She moved on to produce comic strips with sequential scenes. Now, her speech bubbles contained “real” letters. Through a need for more tools of expression, she reached into the bag of punctuation marks and used them with enthusiasm!
By this point, Maile caught on to the use of dialogue, interrupted speech, and exclamations. She grew accustomed to creating unique characters with individual motivations, strengths, and quirks. She was acquainted with more complex conflicts (thanks to living with four siblings) and used different techniques, such as humor and suspense, to illustrate them. Finally, Maile learned how to end a story on a powerful note, whether it was the punch-line to a joke, or a neat-and-sweet happy ending. As we discussed her more sophisticated story form, I used important terms like, “plot,” “climax,” and “main character,” laying the foundation for a wide literary vocabulary.
Now nine, Maile still enjoys drawing comics, but her love for storytelling has evolved. She doesn’t always have to draw to satisfy her creative urges. In addition to writing on paper, she’s also learned to type and compose in a word processing program.
When Maile envisions her original character drawings and visualizes her stories from scene to scene, she now translates her ideas straight to the page (or to the computer screen) in the form of true written narrative.
Maile may not have developed such a love for writing if she hadn’t been encouraged in her artistic but “non-writing” pursuits. Many homeschooling parents may overlook the literary development taking place when their children color and draw.
Storytelling through art and sequential construction is a precursory form of creative writing. By asking guiding questions and drawing attention to subtle literary elements, parents reinforce the mental composition process. We do well to give our children the time and tools they ask for when they have an itch to put crayon and pencil to paper. Someday, that itch may turn into a real passion for writing.
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Art and science camps launched
The Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium this week launched the first in a series of three weeklong summer art and science camps for children ages 6-12.
The camps combine art and science in a hands-on environment to explore engineering principles.
“The Art & Science of Mechanical Engineering” is scheduled to run from June 29 to July 3, and “The Art & Science of Electrical Engineering” is scheduled to run from July 27 to July 31.
Call (337) 233-7060.
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Reliable Teenager needed to work weekends at Youngsville barn. General horse care. If you are interested, please contact Kate at katecorkern@yahoo.com
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The Lafayette Parish Public Library has loads of programs for children and teens in the summer. Below is a list from the Library’s website. Please verify the event with the library and make sure that, if registration is required, you register.
MAY 29 –JULY 17, 2009 PRIZES
AWARDED IN EACH AGE CATEGORY
Kids can show off their natural talent by designing a bookmark using this year’s summer reading club theme, “Be Creative: READ!” Bookmarks will be judged on three criteria: design, originality, and theme. Bookmarks will be judged by age categories: 3– 5 years; 6 – 9 years; and 10 – 12 years. The word “Read” should be incorporated in the design. Kids may enter only once. A winner will be chosen from each libray location for each age category. Winners will have their entry posted on the library website. Entry forms are available at each library location.For further information, call the Children’s Department at 261-5779.
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IT’S WHATEVA TWEEN BOOK CLUB
Tweens 9 – 12 years are invited to meet with others their age every two weeks during the summer to discuss books they have chosen to read. The Book Club will meet at the Main Branch at the times listed below.
Main Library downtown Browsing Room 12:00 – 1:30 PM on the following Tuesdays: June 30; July 14, 28
Preregistration begins on Monday, May 18. Call 261-5779 to preregister.
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Book a Trip with Teddy
For ages 3 – 10
Teddy Bear Travels
June 2 – August 31
Teddy has packed his bag and is ready for boys and girls to check him out and take him on vacation. Children may check out one of the library’s traveling Teddies from any Lafayette Public Library location beginning Tuesday, June 2nd. Teddy can be checked out on a 14-day loan.
While on vacation, the child should take souvenir photos with Teddy, showing where he or she and Teddy have travelled. Once Teddy returns from vacation, the child should write a short note about the place(s)Teddy visited while on vacation and what the bear did.
There will be prizes awarded to the child who:
submits the best vacation photo with Teddy.
writes the best vacation adventure with Teddy.
mails the postcard from the farthest vacation spot.
Please Note: Remember to include the child’s name, address, and phone number on all entries. Winners will be notified by phone in September.
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SUMMER FUN SCRAPBOOKING *
Make a record of your summer fun times by creating a colorful scrapbook. Preregistered participants are asked to bring photographs to use in making their personal summer scrapbook. Preregister your 7 – 12 year old by calling 261-5779 beginning Tuesday, May 26.
Main July 17 10:30
SWITCHPLATE FUN CRAFT
Brighten up your room with a handcrafted giraffe switchplate. Students 7 – 12 years will turn an ordinary switchplate into a work of art using craft sticks and paint. All materials will be supplied. Call (337) 261-5779 beginning Tuesday, July 7, to preregister.
Thursday, July 23 2:30 – 3:15 PM
Main Library downtown
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OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE AND SIGNING
As a child growing up in Southwestern Louisiana, Arthur “Roy” Williams heard many stories about the humorous Creole folktale characters “Bouki,” the tricky rabbit, and “Lapin,” the simple-minded donkey. Williams, a retired educator, will share his love of the Creole culture and its folktales during a reading and autograph session celebrating the official release of his book, Bouki’s Honey.
Bouki’s Honey, the first in a series of ten Creole folktales, has a rich and fascinating history, hundreds of years old. These folktales tales, originating from Senegal, Africa, were first recorded in the United States in 150-year-old cabins on the grounds of the Louisiana Creole Plantation, “Laura”. Bouki’s Honey includes words and phrases from the French Creole culture. A Zydeco band will be performing during the event. Books will be available for purchase. The program is open to persons of all ages.
Monday, June 22 10:30 am Meeting Room/Main Library downtown.
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CARTOONING WORKSHOP WITH ROB GUILLORY
Rob Guillory brings his interactive art tutorial-style workshop to guide 9 – 12 year olds through the stages of producing comic art. Participants will also create their own comic character. Preregistration is required. Preregister at Main branch beginning Monday, June 8.
June 29 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Main Library downtown 261-5779
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ZOO ZOOM’S LITTLE TRAVELING ZOO ON WHEELS
The little zoo on wheels is more than just a petting zoo. Brett and Lori Matte will bring a collection of native as well as exotic animals to the Children’s Department at the Main Library downtown. The Mattes will educate young ones on how to interact with the different animals in their environments. Some of the animals they will bring include wallabies, snakes, guinea pigs, lizards, and more. Admission is free.
June 27 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Children’s Pit Area/Main Library downtown
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GET EXCITED ABOUT SCIENCE
Science Whiz Steve Belliveau delivers a fast paced science show that incorporates large props, music, humor, and audience participation. Recommended for ages five and up.
Thursday, July 9 10:30 – 11:15 AM 261-5779
Meeting Room/Main Library downtown
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HARVEY RABBIT AND FRIENDS SHOW
Mr. Tim and Ms. Laura, a performing duo favorite engage the fun-loving large puppets Harvey Rabbit and his friends Cecil and TBoy with a mix of music, comedy, magic, ventriloquism, and audience participation. Don’t miss seeing one of two shows . Recommended for ages three and up.
Tuesday, July 28
Main Library 10:30 – 11:30 AM
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MUSIC WITH FOX AND BRANCH
Dave Fox and Will Branch perform a crowd pleasing program of old blues, jug band songs, fiddle tunes, Cajun numbers, and New Orleans flavored jazz that is sure to please music lovers of all ages.
Thursday, July 30
10:30 – 11:30 AM Main Library downtown
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TEENS, AGES 12-18, are invited to “Express Yourself” this summer at Lafayette Public Libraries. The “Express Yourself” Teen Reading Alliance offers a Fashion Illustration workshop, Wii Free Play, Photography course, 3-D Design Digital Art class, Website Design, and a Comic Book Workshop. The South Regional Library will host an All Day Anime as well as the Battle of the Wii Bands. From May 18th through July 31st, teens can join the Alliance and then read books of their choice, including comic books and manga or listen to audiobooks, to be eligible to win prizes in a weekly raffle. Teens can submit entry forms for every book read.
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Photographing Your Life
Bring your digital camera or camera phone and learn how to take better photos of yourself, your friends and your life with Daily Advertiser multimedia editor Claudia Laws. Extra cameras will be on hand for those who cannot bring a camera. A photo consent form is required. Registration begins June 2.
June 23 1:00-3:00 PM Main Library, downtown
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Cartooning Workshop
Rob Guillory, Lafayette artist and cartoonist will give insight into “breaking in” the design world, talk up the stages of the creative process, and answer questions on cartooning. Teens will get a chance to create their own cartoon character. Registration begins June 8.
June 29 2:00-3:30 PM Main Library, downtown
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Digital Art
Teens will use GIMP imaging and freeware software similar to PhotoShop to manipulate photographs and other images. Computer graphics artists and interns with LITE will present this free workshop. A photo consent form is required. Registration begins June 2.
July 7 1:00-3:00 PM Main Library
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All Day Anime at South Regional
Our mini-con offers hours of Anime, Japanese snacks, sushi making, art, and a cosplay contest with anime-related prizes. Co-hosted with the UL Lafayette Anime Club. Art contest entries due Monday, July 6.
Registration begins June 2.
Contest Registration Form
July 11 12:00-4:00 PM South Regional Library
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Here is a link to the Library’s calendar. From this page, you can access the programs available at any of the branches: http://www.lafayette.lib.la.us/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp
