As a leading institution among international schools in Bangkok, International School Bangkok (ISB) continuously seeks creative ways to nurture the talents and passions of its students. One such endeavor that has captured the hearts and minds of our young learners is the ISB Novel Writing Challenge. This semester-long project saw elementary and middle school students take on the writing, editing, and publishing of their own novels, all under the dedicated guidance of their teachers. With high school students also lending a helping hand, this cross-divisional initiative united students in one challenge to demonstrate their creativity, commitment, and self-management in action.
Creativity is a powerful force that drives innovation and self-expression. At ISB, the Novel Writing Challenge provided the perfect canvas for elementary and middle school students to explore their boundless imaginations, weaving tales that left readers captivated. Through this initiative, ISB aims to instill a lifelong love for storytelling and to empower young minds to think outside the box.
Mrs. Kehe, our phenomenal Middle School Librarian, shared her enthusiasm for the student’s creative processes, “The Middle School is full of creativity, where budding authors can blossom. Writing a novel becomes a labor of love when they take on the challenge. I am profoundly impressed by their commitment, writing ability, and creativity. Supporting these middle school novelists throughout their journey has been an absolute honor and privilege.”
The journey from a blank page to a published novel requires commitment, perseverance, and self-management. Through the Novel Writing Challenge, ISB students gained invaluable skills in discipline, organization, and time management throughout the editing process, setting them up for success both within and beyond the classroom.
In the elementary school, Mrs. Murray, a dedicated Grade 2 Teacher at ISB, emphasized, “This year, we are so proud of our 20 elementary authors and all of their hard work. They followed the writing process to plan, draft, and revise their novels for publishing. Novelists also teamed with a HS mentor who helped them revise and edit. The finished novels are a testament to ES students’ creative ideas, passion for fiction, and determination to meet their goals. Age is no barrier to publishing a novel!”
The ISB Novel Writing Challenge fosters a supportive and collaborative community of young writers. Students engage in peer discussions, share their progress, and provide constructive feedback to one another, creating an environment where ideas flourish, and creativity thrives. Through writing workshops and collaborative activities, students learn the importance of teamwork, empathy, and appreciation of diverse perspectives. High school students generously volunteered their time and expertise to support their elementary counterparts, creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment. The collaborative nature of the challenge encourages students to support and inspire one another on their writing journeys.
Cultivating Lifelong Learners and Creative Thinkers
International School Bangkok is committed to fostering a well-rounded education that nurtures students' intellectual, social, and creative growth. The Novel Writing Challenge at ISB exemplifies this commitment by encouraging students to become confident and imaginative writers. By equipping them with the essential skills of creativity, commitment, and self-management, ISB empowers its students to become lifelong learners and creative thinkers who can excel in any field they choose to pursue.
The ISB Novel Writing Challenge stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of the students and teachers at International School Bangkok. This project empowered young authors to unleash their creativity, develop essential skills, and experience the joy of seeing their hard work come to life. With a supportive community of teachers and peers, ISB nurtures young authors and fosters a love for writing that extends beyond the classroom.
Limited spaces are available for the 2023-2024 academic year, please inquire here for more information.