during summer to learn

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

June 21, 2000 10 PM

While their classmates are swimming and enjoying other summer activities, a group of boys and girls have gone back to school this summer.

They have chosen to spend this week honing their writing skills by participating in the Think! Write! workshops sponsored by the Wiregrass Writing Project and the Southeast Alabama Regional In service Center.

During this week, 15 students in grades two through nine are stretching their imagination to the stars ­ literally.

The students are spending the week writing about different aspects of the solar system, from horoscopes to postcards from another planet.

Julie Downing is teaching students how to improve their basic writing skills while fostering creativity.

"We try to expose them to the different types of writing," Downing said.

And, from what she said, the students "do a lot of writing" during the five days.

They may be missing part of their summer vacation, but the students don’t seem to mind.

"It’s a good class," said 7-year-old Michelle Downing.

Christian Crosby, 8, said the half-day classes are "a lot of fun" and he doesn’t mind going to school each day.

Science lover Colleen Radford, 11, has enjoyed writing about science.

As a matter of fact, the students don’t seem to realize how much their learning because they are having so much fun doing it.

At the end of the week, students will take home an anthology featuring the work of each student.

The Wiregrass Writing Project, an affiliate of the National Writing Project. Participants receive supplies, refreshments and a book bag.

Based at Troy State University, the Southeast Alabama Regional In service

Center provides professional development, resources and support services for

school systems in 11 counties in southeast Alabama.