Programs

Drop-in Tutoring

Spells Writing Lab is open for drop-in tutoring Monday through Thursday from 4–5:30 p.m. During these hours, volunteer tutors are available to help students with their homework, regardless of subject. Tutoring sessions may also include group writing projects, reading time, educational games, and opportunities to write for student publications.
Though students do not need to sign up for individual tutoring sessions, we do request that a parent or guardian fill out our registration form and provide a copy of the child’s most recent report card so we can track each student’s progress.

Workshops

Our free writing workshops are the backbone of our programming and are usually offered on weekdays between 5:30 and 8 p.m. and on weekend afternoons. With a diverse mix of topics designed to attract reluctant wordsmiths as well as enthusiastic writers, we strive to spark creativity, instill a love of literacy, and develop the skills of young writers. Each of our workshops results in a final product, such as a poetry collage, a literary magazine, or a short film, which serves as a lasting reminder of their authorial successes.
Past workshop topics have included graphic novels, creating creatures, screenwriting, sports reporting, and animal diaries.
Please sign up for workshops using the registration form linked below each workshop description. Because our workshops fill up quickly, please look for an email from write@phillyspells.org verifying your registration or informing you of wait-list status within three days after submission.

Professional Development and In-school Programs

Spells Writing Lab is a dynamic resource for the region’s education professionals, providing a space for them to share teaching ideas and philosophies. We are working to become accredited as a source of continuing education credits, and will work with teachers to help them effectively integrate our teaching methods into their classrooms. In addition, Spells volunteers help local schools establish ongoing newspaper programs, dedicated writing rooms, and extracurricular writing workshops such as the Express Yourself! literary magazine we recently produced with Young Scholars Charter School. Fall 2010 begins our partnership with the Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office for their PhillyGoes2College project. As part of this effort, Spells will host free citywide workshops to help high school students write their college application essays.

Looking for information about past workshops? CLICK HERE.

Spells Writing Lab
2526 N. Alder Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133
267-670-0869
info@phillyspells.org