Basketball & Poetry Writing WorkshopInstructor: John Coy, author of Strong to the Hoop
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"I love writing and I love basketball. I have been fortunate to combine these in a poetry writing workshop for children: Basketball and Poetry." HOW IT WORKS This workshop works best with students aged nine to twelve in groups of around twenty. It can be done in a variety of locations, but a gym with baskets and basketballs for each pair of students is ideal. Two hour sessions allow time for all the exercises, drafts, and revision. In this workshop, students concentrate on sound and touch while passing, dribbling, and shooting the basketball. Then they quickly write these details down. They focus on their breathing and pulse before and after they run and make comparisons. They pick their favorite images and create a first draft of a poem. Later, they work with similes and metaphors and revise their poems, adding new material and cutting out the old. After the revision, the students edit their poetry concentrating on tense, spelling, and line breaks. They write a final draft and read them out loud to each other. All students, regardless of their ability, are able to create an original basketball poem. In writing about basketball, students write about something they know and enjoy. This provides an opportunity for boys and girls who are reluctant writers and for those who are strong writers. One mother recently said, "I've never seen my son so excited about writing." The combination of basketball and writing works extremely well, as students write diligently knowing they will soon be moving. RESPONSE After a recent public reading, one audience member said, "I've taught speech for over thirty years and I could not believe how poised and confident those kids were." Another said "The kids bring the energy of the game to their writing, and are able to create remarkably original poetry about something they enjoy doing." LATEST BOOK "It was my passion for writing and playing basketball that inspired me to create the text for the picture book Strong to the Hoop. The story is about a young boy who has to prove himself against the older boys on the main court. I am happy to have the opportunity to lead these workshops, and observe the students as they surprise themselves, by how much they enjoy writing poetry about basketball." BASKETBALL WORKSHOP SAMPLES To read student samples from past basketball workshops, please click here. HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR Feel free to contact John Coy to discuss particular needs or obtain more information: Contact the author directly: email: johncoy@mac.com  (612) 378-7715 Contact LEE & LOW BOOKS: email: |
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