Course Design
English class? Art class? Learning English through art? Or is it learning art through English? It can become confusing when we set these arbitrary divisions in the development of thinking and learning. We prefer to see literacy and the arts as some of the many tools we help children use to articulate emotions, knowledge, and ideas.
Story Workshop combines language learning with storytelling, art, and construction projects. We carefully balance language learning with skill-building and engaging opportunities to use those skills imaginatively.
Story Workshop I (beginner)
Story Workshop I is our beginner class for children with limited or no English language exposure or ability. This class is geared towards students in grades K-2. Students will usually spend 1-2 years in this class to build and master foundational language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM.
Story Workshop II (intermediate)
Story Workshop II is our intermediate class for children who have completed 1-2 years in Story Workshop I or have a strong foundation in English. This class is geared towards students in grades K-2. Students will learn and develop writing and speaking skills for a variety of purposes: creative, artistic, informational, and persuasive. Students will typically spend 1-2 years in this class. Classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM.
Story Workshop III (advanced)
Coming soon in 2024, Story Workshop III is our advanced class for children who have completed 2-3 years in one or more of our Story Workshop classes or are fluent or nearly-fluent in English. This class is geared towards students in grades 3-4. We will build on English fluency by developing English as an academic language in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students will also learn and practice the writing process of prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing various genres of writing (i.e. narrative, informational, persuasive, artistic, and creative). Students will spend up to 2 years in this class. Classes will meet on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Multi-age Classrooms
Children develop in different ways and at different speeds in different areas. For any given area of development, less experienced children can learn a lot from more experienced children. Likewise, older children gain a lot from interacting with younger children. A multi-age approach to learning makes a lot of sense.
Story Workshop Program Eligibility Requirements
The Story Workshop Program at Tinkerseeds accepts students ages 5-10, from kindergarten through grade 4.
For our beginner class, Story Workshop I, no English experience is required, but having a basic level of English is recommended.
Admission into our Story Workshop program is on a rolling basis until spaces are no longer available, after which we will maintain a waitlist. Learn more about our admissions process.
