Children Learn About Writing, Create Blog

Photo Submitted

Mike Thomas, left, explains an exercise to Kidswrite participants in which they took a topic suggested by the other kids and carried on a dialog using only questions. Thomas also used the talking "Woody" doll in the background to discuss a writer's voice with the children.

Children participating in Kidswrite for the past two weeks on the University of Arkansas campus created a blog to post their reflections and work. The blog can be read at http://kidswrite2011.blogspot.com/.

Kidswrite is conducted by the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project based in the College of Education and Health Professions. It concludes Friday with lunch out and a performance by participants.

The camp includes visits from guest authors who talk to the children about writing. Last week, Mike Thomas, a drama teacher at Ramay Junior High School in Fayetteville, led the children through some exercises to help them understand how to find their voice as writers. Thomas is also a writer and actor. He wrote the play Digging Up Arkansas that has been touring Arkansas schools.

Online registration is under way for the next writing camp, Teenswrite, scheduled for July 25-29 on the Fayetteville campus. Cost is $115 for the camp, which is open to students who have completed eighth grade and up. Deadline to register is July 18.