Find the ultimate writing experience for your young storytellers.
Explore our on-site, in-class programs, educational resources and more!
Quick Fit Guide
Grades K-6
Grades K-6
Grades K-6
Grades 6-12
Grades 6-12
Available 2026/2027
Registration opens June 22, 2026
Program overview
Ignite your students’ imagination and kickstart their writing with this dynamic, single-session workshop for K-6 classrooms. An expert Story Studio facilitator guides up to 30 students through playful, age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned exercises designed to overcome writer’s block and make creating a story joyful and accessible. Every student leaves with their own Story Studio Spark Book, a full-colour writing guide built on our popular Story Sheets and 15 years of working with young writers.
Every student receives their own bound Story Studio workbook, filled with fun activities that build key writing skills and spark ideas. It’s a writing tool they can keep using on their own, and one teachers can draw on for writing time throughout the year.
Along the way, students build confidence, develop social-emotional skills, and collaborate with their peers. Story Sparks is ideal for school teachers, community groups, and home school educators who want to inspire their young writers.
What will participants do?
In a lively 90-minute session, students dig into their own Spark Book and try out techniques used by professional writers, like creating characters that leap off the page. Partner and group activities give them a chance to share ideas and learn from each other, and the facilitator is there to keep every student moving, especially those who say they don’t know what to write. Along the way, students build confidence, develop social-emotional skills, and collaborate with their peers. Every student leaves with their Spark Book in hand, and the confidence to keep going.
Supporting literacy
Strong readers and writers are made through practice, and practice happens when students want to write. Story Sparks gives students a joyful way in, using hands-on activities that build the skills behind literacy: generating ideas, crafting sentences, organizing a story, and expressing themselves with confidence. The Spark Book then keeps that momentum going, giving teachers a ready-to-use resource that supports writing practice long after the workshop ends.
What’s included?
- A single-session workshop led by a specialized Story Studio facilitator, supported by volunteers
- A full-colour, bound Spark Book for every student to keep, written by a team of professional writers and aligned with the BC curriculum
- Playful activities that help students find ideas, get past a blank page, and build key writing skills
- A resource teachers can return to for writing time throughout the year
Who is this for?
Story Sparks is ideal for school teachers, community groups, and home school educators who want to inspire their K-6 students with an engaging, expert-led writing experience. Whether your students are reluctant writers or keen storytellers, they’ll leave with new ideas and a Spark Book that keeps the writing going.
Program overview
Transform your entire elementary school into a vibrant publishing house with a Story Studio School-Wide Residency! Designed to bring a culture of literacy to your school community, our multi-day, immersive residencies embed an expert facilitator into a minimum of four classrooms simultaneously. Over the course of multiple on-site sessions, students dive into the writing and editing process, experiencing the immense pride of seeing their ideas transformed into beautifully printed, physical books. To best match your school’s goals, our residencies are offered in two distinct tracks: Together Tales, which focuses on collaborative team-building through a shared classroom book, and Independent Ink, where every student writes and publishes a completely unique book of their very own.
What will participants do?
In Together Tales (Gr 2-6): Students will work collaboratively to build an original world, design unique characters, and weave their individual ideas into a single, cohesive class adventure. Over a series of interactive sessions, they will practice creative team-work as they watch their shared ideas transform into a professionally published anthology.
In Independent Ink (Gr. 2-6): Students will take full creative ownership of their work, creating an entirely original story. They will sketch their own illustrations and write their own narratives, experiencing the exact process a professional author goes through to publish a unique book of their very own.
Younger grades (K-2): Our residencies adapt to the whole school: while older students publish books, K–2 students engage in a fun-first series of interactive storytelling workshops tailored perfectly to younger learners.
What’s included?
Program fee includes 4-5 instructional hours per class; each student receives a copy of final publication, plus an additional copy for the school library; and digital copies for participating teachers of our “Educator’s Kit”, a 60-page PDF of lesson plans and resources.
Who is this for?
Ideal for school teachers who want to work with their K–6 students to cultivate a lasting love for literacy, build student confidence, and foster a vibrant community of young published creators right in their own classroom.
Pricing
School Instructional Fee:
(Flat rate per 4 classrooms/divisions; contact us to discuss full-school pricing)
Together Tales: Starts at $1,920
Individual Ink: Starts at $2,230
Publishing & Materials Fee: A small fee will be included per child to cover the costs of creating final publications
Note: Minimum booking of 4 classes. Publishing and materials fees may be supported by school PACs or district literacy grants. Limited additional funding may be available through Story Studio supporters – email us for details.
Program overview
Inspire your students and build creative confidence with an engaging author visit tailored specifically for your school. Suitable for all grade levels and particularly impactful for middle and secondary students, this dynamic one-hour presentation connects young readers directly with published authors. Drawing on Story Studio’s deep roots in the literary community, we connect your school with diverse creators—from science fiction novelists to award-winning poets. We collaborate directly with teachers and teacher-librarians to customize each visit to your curriculum goals, making the experience deeply relevant, memorable, and inspiring for every student.
What will participants do?
Participants will connect with a guest author, explore real-world writing techniques through stories and exercises, and ask questions during an interactive Q&A session tailored to their grade level.
What’s included?
Program fee includes pre-visit consultation with teacher/teacher-librarian, and a 60 minute visit from an author.
Who is this for?
This program is specifically designed for middle and secondary school classes (Grades 6–12), making it ideal for English language arts courses, library programs, or creative writing groups seeking to inspire adolescent writers.
Pricing
$250 per session. Additional fees may apply for larger groups/special requests. Please email us for more information.
Program overview
Inspire your students and build creative confidence with an engaging author visit tailored specifically for your school. Suitable for all grade levels and particularly impactful for middle and secondary students, this dynamic one-hour presentation connects young readers directly with published authors. Drawing on Story Studio’s deep roots in the literary community, we connect your school with diverse creators—from science fiction novelists to award-winning poets. We collaborate directly with teachers and teacher-librarians to customize each visit to your curriculum goals, making the experience deeply relevant, memorable, and inspiring for every student.
What will participants do?
Participants will connect with a guest author, explore real-world writing techniques through stories and exercises, and ask questions during an interactive Q&A session tailored to their grade level.
What’s included?
Program fee includes pre-visit consultation with teacher/teacher-librarian, and a 60 minute visit from an author.
Who is this for?
This program is specifically designed for middle and secondary school classes (Grades 6–12), making it ideal for English language arts courses, library programs, or creative writing groups seeking to inspire adolescent writers.
Pricing
$250 per session. Additional fees may apply for larger groups/special requests. Please email us for more information.
Educator's Kit Bundle
This 60-page downloadable PDF contains all the materials you need to jumpstart creative writing in your classroom!
Format
Pricing
$20
What's included?
*Newly revised for 2025!*
This 60-page downloadable PDF contains all the materials you need to jumpstart creative writing in your classroom!
The bundle includes:
– 60-page educator’s guide
– 10 lesson plans aligned to the British Columbia curriculum.
– 12 StorySheets in a reproducible format for learners
– A sample story, created by a real Story Studio participant
Why choose Story Studio?
RESEARCH BACKED
A 2024-2026 independent evaluation by the University of Victoria looked at how Story Studio’s Story Maker workshops affected students’ confidence, attitudes, and feelings about writing and school. Nearly 500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 took part, completing short surveys before, right after, and a few weeks after their workshops (when they received their printed storybooks).
The study found that participation in Story Maker workshops resulted in significant increases in writing confidence and reductions in school-work anxiety. These gains were evident immediately after the workshop and were sustained several weeks later. Younger students (Grades 1–3) and English Language Learners showed especially strong gains in writing efficacy.
AWARD WINNING
The B.C. Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association (BCPVPA) awarded Story Studio a 2021 Partnership Award, one of only 4 groups across the province to receive the honour. “Story Studio has been a tireless advocate for bringing the power of storytelling to all children and youth in our community.” (Carey Nickerson, Vice Principal, SD61 Early Years and Elementary District Team.)
The province of BC awarded Story Studio the 2020 Council of the Federation Literacy Award (COFLA). “Congratulations to Story Studio Writing Society on this remarkable achievement. You are having a positive impact by helping British Columbians, especially youth, to build their literacy skills, so they have the tools they need to succeed.” (Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.)
About Story Studio
An Award-winning Charity
Story Studio is an award-winning charity based in Victoria, BC. We inspire, educate, and empower youth to become great storytellers – transforming their lives and communities. Since our founding, we’ve worked with over 12,000 young writers through innovative in-person and online workshops and creative writing resources. Our programs boost literacy, support mental wellness, and build social connection through the power of story.
12,000
Youth worked with to date
1,500
Youth-authored books each year