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Schools

Lines School Writing Club Takes on Journalism

Elementary school scribes learn the art of interviewing

     For varied reasons, twice a month, 15 l students set their alarm clocks early on Monday mornings to learn the craft of writing.

     "I didn't like writing, but I have a lot of ideas in my head," said fourth-grader Audrey van Boven, when asked why she joined the school's Roaring Writers' Society.

     "My mom says I'm a really good writer," said Jack Steiner.

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     "My mind is always overflowing with ideas," said Cameron Daniels.

      Led by teacher Ted deBruin, the club encourages students to formulate their ideas into creative and readable essays, stories and poems. Many of their works are published in the Lines Literary Review featuring seasonal subjects such as "Winter is....."

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     As a Barrington Patch feature writer, I met with the club on Monday, Nov. 21 to work on the art of interviewing. I turned the tables from reporter to subject and asked the students to take photos and come up with quotes from the presentation. 

     The young writers aptly uncovered a few insightful nuggets:

     "Make an interview like you are talking to a friend," wrote Brynn Arnold.

      Emily Blackburn heard "Never walk away without getting their name and spelling it correctly."

     "The best kinds of questions are the ones that really make you think hard," Ava Dahnke contributed.

      From journalism to poetry, the club includes third- to fifth-graders who take on different forms of writing each month.

     "The special thing about these kids is they aren't bound by what they think makes a good story, or what people will write," says DeBruin.  "They write from the heart, and hold back no emotions or punches. The best work comes from their own personal stories they share with the others."

     Following is a sample from the February 2010 Lines Literary Review.

How I Saved Christmas

by Phoebe C.

     One Christmas Eve, I was in bed waiting for Santa to come to my house.  It was typical for a 10-year-old to stay up late on Christmas eve.  I hadn't fallen asleep but had been disturbed by a sudden snowstorm outside.  I checked outside the window and could see nothing but white.  It was only 10:00 p.m., so I  went downstairs and sat in the family room.  Mom and Dad put all the presents in  the living room and we sat down on the couch.  There were no sounds except for the crackle of the fire.

      "I'm sorry, but I tracked Santa down and there will be a delay so he will not come until two in the morning," I was shocked.  I needed to help.  And I would find help.

        I put my winter gear on and went out into the blizzard.  I brought a lantern with me, too.  Before that, though, I saw that Santa has to save Barrington for last.  Suddenly, I  came inside at once and told  my parents to try to contact Santa because he forgot to bring Rudolph!

     I drove the the airport (I'm 17) and tried to find a plane to the North Pole.  They had a plane from a company called North Pole Airlines, so I bought a ticket.  After I went through security, I  called my parents, who had allowed me to go.

        "I'm alright, Mom, and I'm getting on the plane right now."

      "I'm glad you're alright, honey!" she said.

     On the plane there were only about ten people (they must be elves in disguise) and me.  I sat at the back of the plane so I wouldn't be noticed.  I would be the only one to drive the mini sleigh.

     I was 30 minutes into the ride now.  I was on the computer doing Santa tracking (for some reason, Santa had saved time by slowing it down and eventually stopping it.)

     "I will never be able to track down places without Rudolph," Santa was saying.  "I will have to stop somewhere to rest.  I will pause time," he said.    

     Our plane went crashing because of the blizzard.  The elves disappeared (they probably went back  to the North Pole) and I just had to use a parachute to survive.  The airplane had crashed just near Santa's workshop and all the elves were somewhere else, so I brought the mini-sleigh outside and got Rudolph out of the sleigh.  Then I tracked Santa, brought the reindeer to him, and them went home on the mini-sleigh for Santa to return. 

     And I just realized that I had saved Christmas.

 

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