Creative Writing: Children's Literature
Creative Writing: Children's Literature (CRWR) was an original CAA course offered in 1997. It focused on writing stories that were based off of classic children's books. This course was offered at Fresno and Towson.
Course Description
From the CTY Course Catalog (1996):
The writers of good children's literature are able to express themselves clearly, concisely, and with feeling. These characteristics, present in all good writing, constitute the aims of this course. Writing skills will be strengthened by examining classic and contemporary children's literature, identifying characteristics common to these pieces, and developing new stories reflecting these characteristics.
The art of story-telling and the importance of visual and musical art in story-telling will be examined. Telling stories orally, illustrating them using a variety of painting and drawing techniques, and setting them to music will be important elements in the course. Presentation exercises are designed to improve planning and interpretive skills. The primary aim of Creative Writing, however, will be to improve written expression. A student anthology will be produced and distributed.
This course has been designed in consultation with the Director of the Education and Public Programs Division of the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore and the creative staff of Rabbit Ears, award-winning producers of family and children's programming. This programming utilizes classic children's literature, including narratives such as How the Leopard Got His Spots, tales such as King Midas and the Golden Touch, American legends such as Johnny Appleseed, and great stories such as Jonah and the Whale.
