I'm Biance Peslak and I teach high school special education and also have a background in teaching high school English and creative writing. In addition, I’ve coached gymnastics, tutored, and babysat after work. I love helping children find inspiration in the world around them! In my free time I enjoy dancing, hiking, cooking, and hanging out with my dog! I also love travelling and can’t wait for the days when that is safer and more obtainable, but for now I am making the best of exploring new things in my own town!
Creative Workshop
Beginner/Intermediate creative writing- These workshops are open to all writing abilities! This is a great way to improve writing without the pressure of a school assignment. We will learn about different types of poetry and different types of creative writing. One week we may be exploring and writing short poetry like haikus and limericks, and the next week we may explore meters and stanzas and write longer poems. Students can work on creative writing pieces and we will dive into topics like character development and storylines to improve short stories. In addition to working on our own creative writing, we will read the works of famous poets and writers and begin the process of analyzing and understanding these pieces. This is an important skill in middle school and high school, but elementary students are welcome as well. Again, this can be done in an environment that is pressure free and welcoming to all.
Afterschool Crafts/Sensory Activities
This creative writing workshop will begin with some calming music, stretches, or sharing of favorite music from students in the session. We will then jump into crafts that can easily be done by students independently. We will create something fun like pom-pom animals or garlands, Lego bird feeders, hand sewn pillows, stamped fabric, and more.
Book Club
Middle school and high school students are welcome to join for book club. During this time we will discuss our favorite parts of the chosen book and begin the explore analytic principles students will use in middle school and high school English. Some of these will include character development, understand foreshadowing, and understanding literary devices like metaphors and similes. We will also discuss how books may relate to the world around us.
Middle School and High School Afternoon Art
These projects can be done by younger students but may require the use of stove, oven, microwave, or iron so it is best they are accompanied by an older sibling or adult. Crafts will include making soap, marbled clay earrings or bowls, shrinky dinks, and more!
Beginner knitting
Learn the basics of knitting to make scarves, ear warmers, and more! While knitting, students can enjoy socializing with students who may not be in their class and school.