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January, February & March
Winter 2025
Reasons to study stories are many, from exposing ourselves to different people and cultures to deepening our empathy and becoming more inclusive and tolerant. Stories communicate identity, belonging and purpose; they expand imagination, challenge beliefs and enhance memory.
Character, setting, plot (conflict), and theme are the basic elements that work together to create a story’s structure. Without any one of these components, a story will fall flat, and changing any one of these can dramatically affect a story's impact. Imagine then how better utilizing these elements in our personal narratives might improve what and how we document!
In January, February and March we’ll read about and practice character description and development. The people, animals, or creatures that interact in the story, often play roles of protagonist, antagonist, and villain.
During March, April and May we turn our attention to setting—the time, location and context of a story, which includes an overarching setting and as well as smaller locations of interest and import.
The summer months of July, August and September is when we will break down scenes and series of actions or events that occur, allowing the storyline to unfold along with consequences and lessons learned!
Understanding and communicating the story's overall message or big idea is the theme, which will be our focus in October, November and December. Common themes are good vs. evil, love, coming of age, courage and perseverance, family or freedom, hope and beauty.
None of us truly know what happens next in our own stories, but we can be sure that what we learn and share together here will help us live whatever happens next with more intention and compassion. I’m so glad you are a part of us!
Rote the Quote
Each season we work on memorizing powerful and positive words.
Before each live session, we read and eventually recite (until they are rote) the words of a quote.
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“Personality is more important than beauty, but imagination is more important than both of them. ”
Let’s read books!
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
As we dive into our study of character and character development, we will examine Paul Gallico’s expert imagery in the introduction to Mrs. Harris, “The small, slender woman with apple-red cheeks, greying hair, and shrewd, almost naughty little eyes …”
This book, now a major motion picture is a delightful read from the comfort of your couch, or a lively listen as you scurry around doing all that you need to do. If you’ve ever wanted something because you know getting it will change your life, then this is the book for you.
📚 Book Club Replay HERE
Let’s make projects!
2025 Overview & Schedule
Firstly, we are undertaking a FUN, interactive visual connections game this year. We will break down this effort and spread it out across all four quarters. In January, during our Project Play Date, we’ll talk about supplies, workflow and time commitment. Then we’ll meet again in April, July and October to craft together towards finishing.
4 Seasonal Projects
In February & March, May & June, August & September and November & December, we will complete four different, very doable projects, including an Extended Story, Mini 4x4 Persnickety Box books, a 6x6 or 6x8 Short Story for travel and an EASY ABC or 123 digital book.
Details for all these projects AND our 2nd Saturday work sessions are outlined in the 2025 Project Schedule
Click HERE (or click on the image) to enter the Rock Your Scroll classroom, then enter the password: JOYonmyphone