Creative Writing Enrichment for Homeschool Students
Where Young Writers Build Stories—and Confidence
Journal Together offers welcoming, small-group creative-writing experiences for homeschool students in Claremont.
Through storytelling, writing games, guided instruction, and independent writing time, students strengthen their skills while discovering confidence in their own ideas and voices..
Build Your Story
A Six-Week Narrative Storytelling Course
Every child has a story worth telling.
In Build Your Story, young writers will transform an original idea into a complete narrative. Students will develop characters, build imaginative settings, create conflict, write scenes and dialogue, and craft satisfying endings.
The course provides enough structure to help students understand how stories work while leaving plenty of room for imagination, experimentation, and individual voice.
No previous creative-writing experience is required. All students need is curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to write.
Winter 2027 Course Details
Ages: 8–12
Dates: Wednesdays, January 13–February 17, 2027
Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Length: Six weekly 90-minute classes
Location: Journal Together Studio in Claremont
Format: Drop-off program
Class size: Limited to six students
Tuition: $275 per student
Showcase: Saturday, February 20, 2027
Experience: All writing levels are welcome
The exact studio address and showcase details will be provided privately to registered families.
Tuition includes all six classes, a student writing journal, course materials, and participation in the culminating Build Your Story Showcase.
What Young Writers Will Explore
During the six-week course, students will learn how to:
Develop an original story idea
Create interesting characters
Build an imaginative setting
Organize a beginning, middle, and ending
Develop conflict and important story events
Write engaging scenes and dialogue
Use description, action, and emotion
Revise and complete an original narrative
Share their writing with greater confidence
The course supports important English language arts skills, including narrative structure, sequencing, descriptive language, dialogue, revision, speaking, and listening.
What Happens During Class?
Each 90-minute session balances creativity, instruction, and writing time.
Students can expect:
A welcoming prompt or writing game
A short storytelling lesson
A guided individual or group activity
Focused independent writing time
Individual support and encouragement
Optional sharing and reflection
Students are never required to read their writing aloud before they feel ready. Journal Together creates a supportive environment where young writers can take creative risks and grow at their own pace.
The Build Your Story Showcase
The course concludes with a special family showcase where students may read an excerpt from their original stories and be recognized for their creativity, courage, and growth.
The celebration will include Young Author certificates, small goodie bags, light refreshments, and time for families to celebrate their writers.
Participation in the reading is encouraged but optional.
The showcase is planned for Saturday, February 20, 2027. The time, location, and guest information will be shared privately with enrolled families.
Mrs. Sweis, an experienced elementary educator with an MFA in Creative Writing and a Master of Education, will lead the showcase.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Build Your Story is a creative enrichment course with a strong educational foundation. Students practice narrative structure, sequencing, character development, descriptive language, dialogue, revision, speaking, and listening without recreating a traditional classroom environment.
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No. All writing levels are welcome. The course supports children who already love writing as well as those who are hesitant or still developing confidence.
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Journal Together will provide a writing journal and the primary course materials. Registered families will receive a welcome message before the first class with any additional information.
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Yes. Families will receive arrival, dismissal, emergency contact, and authorized pickup procedures before the course begins.
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Classes are held at the small and welcoming Journal Together Studio in Claremont. Because the studio is a private teaching space, the exact address is provided only to registered families.
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Regular attendance is strongly encouraged because each session builds upon the previous week. Brief catch-up materials will be provided when possible, but missed classes cannot be individually rescheduled.
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Each registration reserves one of only six seats. Families may request a full refund at least 14 days before the first class. After that date, tuition is nonrefundable unless the open seat can be filled from the waiting list.
If Journal Together must cancel the full course, families will receive a full refund. If an individual class must be canceled, a makeup date or another appropriate arrangement will be provided.
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Complete the registration form and submit the $275 tuition payment through PayPal. A student’s place is confirmed after both the registration form and payment have been received.
Registered families will receive confirmation, required student-information forms, program policies, and arrival and dismissal details.
Six Young Writers. Six Weeks. One Story to Share.
Give your child the time, encouragement, and creative space to build a story of their own.
Build Your Story begins January 13, 2027. Enrollment is limited to six students.
