Teaching Page

Lyle Weis in the Classroom

Follow the links for more information:

Overview of Workshops (below, on this page)
Detailed description of workshop contents
A listing of my previous workshop schools
Recommendations from other schools

General Overview of Workshops

My EXPERIENCE as a teacher includes four years in elementary and high schools, as well as ten years of teaching university English (with a special interest in Children's Literature). I have made over 300 author visits to schools, giving readings, presentations and workshops.

PRESENTATIONS are to any age group or size of audience. For approximately 55 minutes, I talk about everyday experience as viewed through the eyes of a writer, using anecdotes and humorous examples. Presentations to Division One students work best in shorter time allotments.

A variety of WORKSHOPS in Fiction are available for Elementary, Jr. High and High School Students. All workshops lead students through a writing process, with specific assignments. Depending on the age grouping, the sessions are: Storyboarding, Chapter Books, Mysteries, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Action/Adventure and Romance.

I've found that WORKSHOPS in Poetry work best for upper elementary and older students. Using examples from my own work, I usually explore one or more topics: the clear image; the narrative or story in a poem; or the physical arrangements of words on the page.

In all workshops, students will WRITE for a significant length of time.

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATIONS AND EDITING: These are separate from workshop instruction sessions. Please contact me for rates and arrangements.

For a more detailed breakdown of WORKSHOPS and contents, click HERE.

ELECTRONIC SESSIONS are a way of learning about writing and the use of newer technologies. I have worked with a dozen schools in Alberta on these projects, using standard email or video conferencing programs. Students may link with me, or with students at other schools, to learn the advantages of electronic creation and editing techniques. For example, one of my lesson modules teaches the use of hypertext links, which can be powerful tools in both poetry and prose.

I also give ADULT SESSIONS or IN-SERVICES for teachers and parents, on a variety of topics:
     1. Modules for Teaching: The use of hypertext strategies or formulaic fictions (such as mysteries and romance) in everyday classroom instruction.
     2. The Writing Catalyst: People of all ages write best by putting an imaginative "spin" to an everyday object or event;
     3. The Young Reluctant Reader: Comic books and popular novels as a means to developing the rich potential of young people intimidated by reading.
     4. Other topics include Humor in the Classroom, Teaching the Mystery, Poetry as a Process.

Questions? Contact me at:

Click here to E-mail Lyle Weis