WAYMO Workshops
From 2022–2023, I visited local primary schools to teach students how to write and enjoy poetry. I called these “WAYMO Workshops” because they include readings from my medical poetry book, What Are You Made Of? (“WAYMO”).
Workshops are 45-60 minutes long. As a medical student passionate about improving health literacy, I mixed and matched between reading poems about parts of the body, asking pupils to brainstorm ways of staying healthy, and discussions of what it’s like to be studying to become a doctor. We then pivoted to talk about the art form of poetry itself; what makes something a poem, why people write poetry, and how to write our own. Pupils produced group poetry and later sent me their own work as part of small school-based competitions.
Writing materials and competition prizes were kindly funded through a Blackbird Foundation Protostars Season 2 microgrant (2022) and through the MAS Foundation ‘Here For Good’ Scholarship (2023).
I hope to someday find a way to once again incorporate these exciting and energising poetry workshops among my work as a doctor, and I am happy to be contacted by teachers and librarians wishing to discuss the option of a school visit or poetry workshop.
If you are a teacher, and would like to get in touch about having a WAYMO workshop run for your class, email [email protected]
For more images, visit gallery.
I have also facilitated workshops for the University of Auckland Poetry Club and held online and in-person workshops as part of The Poetical Lobe Project. I am happy to be approached for poetry workshops for older students and adults.
Testimonials
Loredana’s book was a great hit with the students of our school. They loved the pictures and poems that presented scientific information in such an accessible way. The students enjoyed writing their own group poem and were surprised at the results of their teamwork. Some were even inspired to start writing their own poems! Overall, we had such a great time when Loredana came to visit our school. Her workshop was engaging and inspiring for the students. We would certainly welcome her back!
M. – school librarian
Loredana has run poetry writing workshops at our school. She shared her own poems and talked about how she came to publish her own poetry book. She talked about what inspired her and what got her into writing poetry. Our children were hooked in and engaged in writing their own poems together with Loredana.
Loredana is a great role model and is so enthusiastic about writing.
D. – deputy principal