Spells Writing Lab

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Philadelphia, PA
Spells Writing Lab

Spells nonprofit aims to shape Philly's kids into writers & learners through fun & inspiring workshops, out-of-school programs, & in-school projects.

At Spells, we believe that literacy is a cornerstone for future success, and that personalized attention and unconventional learning opportunities can inspire students to greater triumphs, both in the classroom and in life. To further these ends, we offer the following programs:

• drop-in tutoring
• after-school and weekend writing workshops
• in-school assistance with student publications
• prof

essional development opportunities for teachers. All of our programs are free, and many incorporate other artistic disciplines such as music, film, or the visual arts to inspire young writers.

04/29/2025

We love the beginning of this story, likely inspired by the Time Travel session of our in-school visits! We can't wait to read about John Morgan's adventures in the Golden Age of Piracy!

"John Morgan went back to his old house where his great grandfather lived. His great grandfather was a great pirate of the seas. He arrived and started looking through his great grandfather’s things and found gold nuggets and a treasure map. He was shocked to find a treasure map, so he kept on looking and then he found a book. He read, 'He who reads this forgotten note shall be sent to the pirate ages.'
P**F! He opened his eyes and saw that he was not in his old house anymore—he was in the pirate ages!"

—a Rhawnhurst 5th grader

04/25/2025

The teacher said, “What is your name?”
“My name is Ramen Noodle.” The class laughed. Ramen went to the bathroom and cried. “Why is my name that?”
Twenty minutes later, Ramen went to class. The teacher said, “Are you ok?”
“Yes,” Ramen said. Later Ramen went home and Ramen thought, "What do I do now? I have a lot of ramen, so I’m going to bring ramen for the class to eat with me in lunch. Lunch is at 12:00, just twenty minutes to go, so maybe I can show them ramen is the best and then maybe they will like me."
The next day Ramen took the ramen noodles to school and the class loved it. “RRRRRRR AAAAAAA MMMMMMM EEEEEEEEEEE NNNNNNNNNN! You are the best!”

—a Rhawnhurst 5th grader, writing just before lunchtime

04/24/2025

We're reading the stories written by the young writers we worked with in Philly's schools this year and preparing them for publication in our chapbook anthologies. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our favorite excerpts with you. Here's one to start us off!

"Luke was walking through the future until someone called him to a suspicious alley. He entered a machine and he started to feel something. His head turned into a clock and his skin turned into a galaxy, and he was wearing a black suit. The person who had called him disappeared, and he felt something inside him as if he had powers. He could fly super fast, laser through his eyes, and use titanium strength. He started to fight with supernatural things and he could destroy them all. He became the hero of the future."
—a Rhawnhurst 5th grader

01/30/2025

We're back at Rhawnhurst Elementary this winter to work with their talented 5th grade writers who are currently stranded in different time periods and locations thanks to our malfunctioning time machine! Here's one student's attempt to let us know where they are without telling us exactly where they are:

I am on me ship looking for me b***y. There rrrr no buildings, only ships. We use da ships to transport around the world. I hear me captain’s parrot. I smell the ocean waves. We will eat everything we can find.
I can feel the waves on my hand. We use hooks as hands, and eyepatches. We say, “I like me b***y,” and “Arr, matey.” We need to learn how to fight and how to control a ship. We wear old clothes. I need to row a boat.
Can you go any faster? I want to go back and they started counting the people on the ship and it is more than yesterday. They are asking me questions and I need help.

01/13/2025

We are proud to announce that Spells Writing Lab is a recipient of this year’s Creative Sector Flex Fund! Thanks to and for supporting 80 incredible arts and culture organizations across Southeastern Pennsylvania. We are so honored to be included and look forward to continuing our work with Philly's young writers!
Learn more: www.philaculture.org/flexfund2024-25

06/13/2024

Spells Summer Writing Camp Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at 1417 N. 2nd Street, Philly FOR AGES 7–12: July 8–12: Under the Sea AdventuresJoin us for a fantasy-themed week diving into the ocean deep as we imagine the adventurous lives of sea creatures from mermaids to megalodons, and all t

06/12/2024

We had a great time working with 4th grade classes at John H. Webster Elementary School again this year. Our program director, Mrs. Liz, popped in yesterday to present the students with copies of their anthology chapbook, Time to Save the World!

Pictured are just a few of the awesome Webster students who created characters, selected settings, planned plots, and wrote fantastic stories during our classroom visits.

Congrats to all of the newly-published young writers and their dedicated teachers!

If you want to support our free programs in Philly's public schools, please consider making a donation on our website, https://phillyspells.org/donate/donate-online/

06/07/2024

We could really use your help with spreading the word about our low-cost, quality writing programs for kids so we can serve more young writers this summer!

Most of our new students find us through word-of-mouth from satisfied Spells families, teachers, or other people familiar with our programs.

That’s why it would be so helpful if you would consider sharing our camp information with your friends, colleagues, and communities who might be interested in a summer program that engages both reluctant and enthusiastic writers with fun, immersive activities.

Thank you in advance for helping us get the word out, and we hope to see your families this summer at Spells!

06/06/2024

Travel to a world populated by robots and androids, as we imagine what scientific advances in artificial intelligence the future might bring, and what adventures—and dangers—sentient robots might hold. Along the way we'll learn the basics of sci-fi storytelling, craft convincing robotic civilizations, and even produce short sci-fi silent films!

Join us for our Robot Rampage camp week, July 22-26. Only $20 to register at phillyspells.org!

06/02/2024

Are you quick with a quip? Always cracking jokes? Telling stories that make people laugh? Then you might have what it takes to write comedy. During this week of side-splitting laughs, we’ll try our hands at writing different types of rib-ticklers, from knock-knock jokes to satirical news to funny fiction. Join us July 15-19 for Make 'Em Laugh, a comedy-themed writing camp week.

As a non-profit, we only charge $20 per week to keep our programs accessible.

To register or find out more info about this or any of our other exciting camp weeks, click here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/spellswritinglab/2024camp

05/31/2024

Join us July 8-12 for a fantasy-themed week diving into the ocean deep as we imagine the adventurous lives of sea creatures from mermaids to megalodons, and all the sea gods, talking crustaceans, and mythical beasts in between!

Registration and additional info for this and our other fun-filled camp weeks can be found here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/spellswritinglab/2024camp

Address

1425 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
19122

Telephone

+12676700869

Website

http://phillyspells.org/

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