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What do I need to attend this course and complete its assignments?
You will need access to the Peabody Essex Museum (not included; Salem residents and teens under 16 enter free). During the sessions on location, students should bring a notebook with a stiff backing (we will be writing on our laps) and pencils for draft writing. Pens are not allowed in the PEM! This course does not use a laptop for on-site writing. In between sessions, a student should have some ability to type and print their essays, e.g. computer and printer. (Most public libraries offer these tools if they are not available.)
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Who is teaching the course?
Dr. Alton Frabetti. Click here for more information.
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How many students are in a course?
6 maximum.
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Is it possible for a group to form its own session time? For example, we are a small school and have eight students that would like to be in their own private session.
Yes, please contact us and we can work out the details.
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Why should someone take this course?
First, the student submits a better writing sample when applying for college. Second, one improves their college application via proof of attendance to an extracurricular program, especially one like this. Third, many colleges have writing programs that students are required to attend. If a student places in a more advanced stage in these college writing programs after having developed their writing skills, they will have saved the cost of the course. (For example, see here for Salem State.) Finally, all attendees benefit from the ability to critique the pervasive visual culture of today.
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Where does this take place? Are there multiple locations?
The critical writing course takes place in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
There are no other locations for now.
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How long are the session meeting times? Is the fee for just one meeting session?
About 90 minutes, plus a break. No, the cost covers the whole course of ten sessions.
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How do we make payments? Is there a refund?
You may reserve by email and make a payment by check or Paypal. Our paypal account is listed under Alton Frabetti.
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Is Authors in Bloom a non-profit? Can it accept donations?
It is not yet a non-profit. Hence, any donations are not tax-deductable.
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How do you guarantee the environment is safe for non-binary students?
The environment begins with our principles and approach to group work. To write and think freely, and cultivate one's interiority, require a safe atmosphere for all students from all walks of life, whatever their gender identity, religious views and/or racial makeup, to name only a few. We believe that intolerence and fear are born from a culture that is not steeped in critical thinking.
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Is this available to students with disabilities?
For students that are challenged with disabilities that are purely physical in nature, the Peabody Essex Museum is fully accessible. For all others, please contact the instructor to make sure that all concerns may be adequately met.
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What if an attendee is not able to complete all the assignments?
Attendees will be given ample time through agreement with the instructor to do so. Otherwise, the student will not receive a certificate of completion.
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What if I miss a lesson?
Instructions will be given to the student to complete the assignment on their own. In some instances, they may attend another session.
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Is this an offical program of the Peabody Essex Museum?
No, it is not.
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What do you mean by 'peer review' during the course?
While we are at the PEM, students are writing in their thoughts in response to prompts and objects/spaces. We then take time to have them read each others' writings with instructions on how to thoughtfully aid each other. Peer review is important for a number of reasons, such as fostering community, developing appreciation for each other's writings and expanded one's ability to think critically.
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What do you mean by 'place-based learning'?
Place-based learning utilizes local resources for student-centered learning. You may read about it here, for example.
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How is this organization funded? Why is it so affordable?
It has been designed to eliminate all possible costs outside the labor of instruction. Everything is automated and there is no rent to pay. Instruction is funded through tuition. There are other costs, such as web site and social media design and maintenance. In the future other sources of funding may arise to assist with these challenges, especially once it is a non-profit.
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Is this limited to certain ages? I see ages 14-18. What about adults or younger children?
The program was conceived originally for students preparing for college.
Hence, their age would be roughly 17-18 years old. However, younger children benefit as well. For this reason, the course is offered to students as young as 14. Individuals older than 18 are welcome to take the course. There is no age restriction.
You will need access to the Peabody Essex Museum (not included; Salem residents and teens under 16 enter free). During the sessions on location, students should bring a notebook with a stiff backing (we will be writing on our laps) and pencils for draft writing. Pens are not allowed in the PEM! This course does not use a laptop for on-site writing. In between sessions, a student should have some ability to type and print their essays, e.g. computer and printer. (Most public libraries offer these tools if they are not available.)
Dr. Alton Frabetti. Click here for more information.
6 maximum.
Yes, please contact us and we can work out the details.
First, the student submits a better writing sample when applying for college. Second, one improves their college application via proof of attendance to an extracurricular program, especially one like this. Third, many colleges have writing programs that students are required to attend. If a student places in a more advanced stage in these college writing programs after having developed their writing skills, they will have saved the cost of the course. (For example, see here for Salem State.) Finally, all attendees benefit from the ability to critique the pervasive visual culture of today.
The critical writing course takes place in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. There are no other locations for now.
About 90 minutes, plus a break. No, the cost covers the whole course of ten sessions.
You may reserve by email and make a payment by check or Paypal. Our paypal account is listed under Alton Frabetti.
It is not yet a non-profit. Hence, any donations are not tax-deductable.
The environment begins with our principles and approach to group work. To write and think freely, and cultivate one's interiority, require a safe atmosphere for all students from all walks of life, whatever their gender identity, religious views and/or racial makeup, to name only a few. We believe that intolerence and fear are born from a culture that is not steeped in critical thinking.
For students that are challenged with disabilities that are purely physical in nature, the Peabody Essex Museum is fully accessible. For all others, please contact the instructor to make sure that all concerns may be adequately met.
Attendees will be given ample time through agreement with the instructor to do so. Otherwise, the student will not receive a certificate of completion.
Instructions will be given to the student to complete the assignment on their own. In some instances, they may attend another session.
No, it is not.
While we are at the PEM, students are writing in their thoughts in response to prompts and objects/spaces. We then take time to have them read each others' writings with instructions on how to thoughtfully aid each other. Peer review is important for a number of reasons, such as fostering community, developing appreciation for each other's writings and expanded one's ability to think critically.
Place-based learning utilizes local resources for student-centered learning. You may read about it here, for example.
It has been designed to eliminate all possible costs outside the labor of instruction. Everything is automated and there is no rent to pay. Instruction is funded through tuition. There are other costs, such as web site and social media design and maintenance. In the future other sources of funding may arise to assist with these challenges, especially once it is a non-profit.
The program was conceived originally for students preparing for college. Hence, their age would be roughly 17-18 years old. However, younger children benefit as well. For this reason, the course is offered to students as young as 14. Individuals older than 18 are welcome to take the course. There is no age restriction.
