Family of Writers FAQ
When is 2024 Family of Writers?
Who can enroll in Family of Writers?
Family of Writers is open to PVPUSD families with third through fifth grade students who can attend ALL FOUR Family of Writers sessions in their school’s cohort. Please do not enroll if you can’t attend all four classes.
One or more parents attend the classes with their child(ren).
If your children don’t attend PVPUSD, contact me to discuss.
Where is 2024 Family of Writers?
Cohort 1 (Dapplegray, Mira Catalina, Rancho Vista, and Soleado) meets at Dapplegray.
Cohort 2 (Lunada Bay, Point Vicente, and Vista Grande) meets at Point Vicente.
Cohort 3 (Cornerstone, Montemalaga, and Silver Spur) meets at Silver Spur.
When does registration open and close?
Registration opens September 9th, 2024, at 8 PM. Add your name to the waiting list to get email reminders sent to your inbox.
How many families can participate in each session?
Family of Writers classes are limited to fifty families per cohort.
We have twins and/or more than one child in 3rd-5th grade. Do we register our kids as one family or separately?
Register as one family. Do not register your children separately.
What if our school’s cohort sells out?
CONTACT me to get added to the SOLD OUT WAITING LIST on a first-come-first-served basis.
Include your first name, your last name, your email, child’s school, and child’s grade level.
Please include your preferences for which cohort(s) you can attend.
If there is still space available in another cohort, I will notify you by email with registration instructions.
What if we have a scheduling conflict for our school’s cohort dates, but we CAN attend another cohort’s dates?
If you cannot attend your home school’s cohort due to a scheduling conflict, CONTACT me with your first name, your last name, your email, child’s school, and child’s grade level.
Please include your preferences for which cohort(s) you can attend.
I will add you to the DATE CONFLICT WAITING LIST on a first-come-first-served basis.
NOTE: The SOLD OUT WAITING LIST gets priority registration.
If there is space in another cohort, I will notify you using the email you provided with registration instructions.
What is the cost?
Thanks to PVPUSD’s generous sponsorship, this course is free to all particpating families.
How long is Family of Writers?
Each Family of Writers session takes 5 weeks to complete.
Meetings 1, 2, and 3: Meet one night per week from 6 - 7:30 PM. (For example, three consecutive Tuesday evenings.)
Between meeting 3 and 4: It’s writing week! Class participants write a final version of one of their pieces for the keepsake Family of Writers Anthology. Classes do not meet during Writing Week, but pieces are turned in for the anthology.
Meeting 4: Final class with writing and a publication celebration.
What do you cover during Family of Writers?
Every Family of Writers session has a theme that relates to an essential element of helping your kids become lifelong writers. The themes loop every three years so third through fifth grade families are exposed to different writing prompts and content each year. The three themes are as follows:
Voice (2024)
Details (2025)
Meaning (2026)
…And then the loop repeats in following years…starting with voice in 2027…so it doesn’t matter when your child enters the Family of Writers cycle.
During every Family of Writers session my goal is helping your kids fall in love with writing so they’ll use it as a tool for the rest of their lives. I want them to believe they can write well and enjoy the process. I want them to walk back into their classrooms as empowered writers! I do this by giving positive feedback, and teaching everyone how to discover what they’re doing well as writers right now. I help everyone understand that writing isn’t so scary.
What’s a typical class?
Even though the theme changes every year, the Family of Writers structure is predictable:
Classes 1-3:
Big idea teaching (also known as a writing process or writing craft mini lessons).
Read mentor text.
Writing prompt based on mentor text.
Share writing with family.
Share writing with whole group.
Class 4: Publication Celebration
Final big idea teaching.
Brief writing prompt.
Present Family of Writers Anthology.
Share writing and celebrate publication!
Does Family of Writers support what my child is learning at school?
Yes! In 2023, PVPUSD implemented Writing Workshop.
Family of Writers is based on the following principles of Writing Workshop:
Give students ownership through topic choice.
Provide positive response.
Share writing with an authentic audience.
Get inspiration from mentor texts.
Write within a predictable classroom structure.
Write in community instead of isolation.
It’s my goal to send your child back to the classroom with a renewed confidence in their ability to write well and have fun at the same time.
What supplies do we need?
Whatever you like to use for writing – laptop, tablet, journal, paper, and/or pen.
Please bring the course workbook to every class. (See next question about the course workbook.)
Please bring your own beverage so we don’t have a lot of plastic water bottle waste.
Save all writing and bring it to every class.
Is there a workbook for the class?
Yes. One printed workbook per family is required.
You can find it in your cohort membership area or you can use THIS LINK to download (link will not work until September 9th, 2024).
What if we miss a class?
If you must miss a class, there is no need to do any additional work at home. You can jump right back into the next class.
Please contact me if you need to make arrangements to attend a cohort on a different night.
For your reference, all handouts for each class are included in the Family of Writers Workbook.
Do parents have to write, too?
Yes. Writing alongside your kids is one of the best ways you can help them fall in love with writing.
I remove the fear and will take care of everyone—even if writing isn’t your thing!
The writing prompts are winners and help everyone feel successful.
Do we have to share our writing?
I never force anyone to share their writing. It’s 100% optional.
However, please know that your kids will LOVE whatever you write! They will LOVE seeing you take a risk to share your writing. It will give them the courage to do the same.
Before we ever share a word, I teach everyone HOW to share their own writing, and HOW to listen to other writers sharing theirs.
Most importantly, Family of Writers is a space where feedback is ONLY positive. I always find something to celebrate in every piece of writing I hear. I show you how to discover and celebrate what you hear in your child’s writing, too!
Can first or second grade students attend?
At this time, Family of Writers is only for third through fifth grade students and parent(s).
For younger students, it’s something to look forward to when they are just a bit older.
How do I log into the membership area?
You’ll receive directions and a video when you register. Just be sure to remember the email and password you created at registration. Of course, I can always help you reset your password, if needed. Email me for directions (Lorrietom@lorriet.com).
What if I have more questions?
Contact me to have a conversation over email, set up a phone call, or we can meet at Starbucks for coffee.