Programs for Students

Adventures in Writing (Students)

English classes were boring until the seventh grade. Then Jim met Mrs. Fowler. She taught the true meaning of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. English is simply about telling stories, and who doesn't like a good story?

Jim discusses the inspiration and perspiration necessary to become a published adventure writer. He also shares some of his experiences, like the time he went nostril to nostril with a bear, how he built a prehistoric weapon that was once used to hunt woolly mammoths, and the day he was buried alive–for a story. He also introduces you to some of the characters he has met on assignments, such as the man who conducts concerts–for whales, and the gold prospector who taught him how to "sniff" for gold.

Things your students will learn:

• A technique used by great writers––which you can start using in elementary school
• Where to put your best material in a story
• How to hook a reader so they want to read what you write
• What it takes to turn words into dollars
• Why writing can be a heck of a lot of fun

Inspire your students with a unique look at English through the eyes of a professional writer.

Jim's writing background:

Jim has served on advisory boards for the San Francisco Chronicle's Outdoors in the Classroom Program and the San Jose Mercury News Venture section. He has written hundreds of articles which have appeared in such publications as the San Francisco Chronicle, Bay Area Parent News Magazine , San Jose Mercury News, Paddler, Black Belt Magazine, Outdoor Canada, Camping Magazine, and Skin Diver. Jim has received Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism award 3 times for his parenting column which appeared in 35 publications across the United States and internationally. He is also an accomplished technical writer, producing material for Apple Computer, Polymetrics, and Arrowhead Industrial Water. His books include Edible and Poisonous Plants of Northern California; Individual Tactics in Water Polo; No More Nagging, Nit-picking, & Nudging; Goal Express! and Memory Smart.