By Becky Wisniewski
Contributing Writer
On February 28, the Skano Elementary School in Clifton Park was filled with young future writers and artists. Children age 12 and under flocked to the school’s cafeteria to attend a Skribblers workshop.
Skribblers is a literary non-profit organization that showcases children’s writing and artwork. The regional magazine circulates in the Capital District and reaches the hands of nearly 16,000 children in over 60 schools in the area.
The Skribblers board hosted two free workshops, including “Reporting on Our World” and “Collage with Kyra Teis.”
The “Reporting on Our World” featured two student journalists, Matthew Woods and Justin Porreca, from The College of Saint Rose. They talked about what it takes to be a journalist and what is newsworthy. Both Woods and Porreca are regular writers for The Chronicle, and they also shared personal experiences with the children about the different topics they write about.
Next, the children broke up into groups and Woods and Porreca helped them identify a story topic that interested them by talking about past experiences and hobbies. Each young writer filled out a graphic organizer that helped them to pin point the important details and information in their stories.
The young writers picked story ideas that included subjects from swimming informational pieces to interviews with One Direction.
One second grader, Hannah Ralston, decided to write a story about the local swimming pool near her house. The Lynnwood Elementary student said swimming is her favorite sport, and she wanted people to know about a safe place for kids and families to swim on a hot summer afternoon.
At only 8 years old, Ralston said that writing is a way for her to express herself.
“I feel like you don’t have to talk about it. You just get to share it,” Ralston said. She loves to write because she gets to inform people about something they may have not known before.
Najya Badrul decided to write an opinion piece on why One Direction is unlike any other boy band. Within her story, she would hope to interview a member of One Direction, particularly Harry Styles.
Badrul is an aspiring writer who frequently writes realistic fiction. The 10-year-old’s characters are frequently in high school and often experience bullying. Badrul became interested in nonfiction writing due to the exposure she received from the Skribblers workshop.
“Once I start writing, I get obsessed with it,” Badrul said. When she gets an idea in her head, Badrul doesn’t stop until it is finished.
Volunteers Woods and Porreca said they were happy to help out.
“Writing is power, and knowledge is in reading,” Porreca said. Both claim they would gladly volunteer for Skribblers again because it was an eye-opening experience.
Parents were welcome to stay and watch the workshop if they pleased. One parent, Rudyard Edick, brought his fourth-grade son, Christian, to the writing workshop. Edick stayed alongside his son to observe and help out. This was Christian’s first time at a Skribblers workshop, and Edick was very pleased with the work of the volunteers.
“I’m interested in art and writing myself. I try to cultivate that in him,” Edick said. According to Edick, it was an excellent opportunity for Christian to be exposed to a specific type of writing that proved to be fun and enjoyable.
The other workshop offered was “Collage with Kyra Teis.” Children worked with Teis, who is a writer and illustrator of picture books. First, Teis discussed with the young artists the difference between telling a story with words and with pictures. She emphasized the importance of exaggerations to show what the story is about- specifically focusing on a biography of Jimi Hendrix and how the illustrations were made on rough wood to simulate the sound of a guitar.
Utilizing what they learned from using pictures to show a story, the students were then able to design their own self-portrait or image from their emotions and feelings. They were encouraged to use exaggeration to illustrate what was most important to the reader.Teis put on music and walked around to guide the artists.
“The kids were enthusiastic. It was fun. We had a good time,” Teis said. This was Teis’ first Skribblers workshop.
Artistry is just as important as writing when telling a story, according to Tammy Ellis-Robinson, the managing editor for Skribblers magazine.
“We are trying to get creative juices flowing,” said Ellis-Robinson.
The youngsters are the ones who come up with the ideas, and the adults guide them to perfect them in the best way possible.
There are two editions of Skribblers magazine, one in print and one online. They receive an extraordinary amount of entries for possible publication. The team of editors decides from those entries what gets published.
The strongest stories are chosen for each age level, according to Dr. Elizabeth Yanoff, a member of the Skribblers board and an early childhood education professor at the College.
“When we are choosing, it is about balance. We try to get a range of stories,” said Yanoff.
The magazine strives to publish stories of different lengths from all age groups. It is important to take into consideration that a 6-year-old’s writing piece will not be the same as a 12-year-old’s.
Even though Skribblers turns away many entries, the board makes it a positive experience for the children. Every child that submits work will receive a letter from Skribblers, whether their piece is published or not.
Yanoff also recruits her own students to help volunteer in Skribblers.
“I try to involve Saint Rose students because it connects to our education programs,” said Yanoff.
It is a way for future teachers to become involved in a program that promotes art, writing and learning in the classroom.
Registration for free Skribblers workshops is at skribblersmagazine.com. The deadline for submissions for the next issue of Skribblers is March 15. The next Skribblers event is Open Mic Night on June 9, whenp children can go and read what they published.
