Writing Classes in Reston, VA

Welcome to Winter at Highest Speak! No prerequisites necessary — this is a Level 1 introductory storytelling and writing class, perfect for beginner teens and tweens! In this fully interactive, high-energy class, students will have a ton of fun learning the essential elements of effective storytelling, story writing, and story structure. Through hilarious storytelling games and multiple hands-on storytelling assignments, your child will sharpen both their creative writing and public speaking skills. Winter is the perfect time for storytelling! With the season’s cozy vibes and magical atmosphere, students will be inspired to create and share imaginative, captivating stories that bring their ideas to life. Each class includes: - Open Forum: a positive, welcoming discussion to warm up - Mini Lesson: focused on a specific storytelling or performance topic - Speaking Games: fun, fast-paced activities to build creativity and confidence - Assignment: a daily storytelling or writing task to practice new skills For classes with more than 10 students, we provide two instructors to ensure every child receives plenty of individual attention and feedback in smaller breakout groups. Our instructors are not only professional skilled educators, but also stand-up comedians and performers, guaranteeing a fun, engaging, and memorable learning experience for every student! Please note: Assignments are expected to be completed outside of class to help students get the most out of their learning. Bonus Opportunity: Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our Friday Evening Winter “Magic Mic” Night on December 12 for a small additional fee! Please register separately if you would like your child to join this fun, special storytelling event.

Comedy Camp! Stand-Up & Stand Out! (Rising Grades 5-8) Get ready to write, perform, and bring the laughs in this fun and interactive comedy camp for rising 5th-8th graders! Stand-up comedy is one of the most challenging—but also most FUN—forms of public speaking, and this camp will help young comedians build the skills they need to craft clever (and age appropriate) jokes, develop their own comedic style, deliver punchlines, and stand-up on the comedic stage with confidence! Over 10 hours of hands-on learning, campers will: 🎤 Discover the art of writing humor – from wordplay to storytelling to perfecting comedic timing. 😂 Create their own jokes & stand-up routines – developing material that fits their unique style and personality. 👀 Receive peer and instructor feedback – refining their work through fun, supportive critique. 🎭 Perform their original stand-up sets – putting their skills to the test in a final comedy showcase! Daily Schedule (1:00 – 4:30 PM): 1:00 – 1:45 PM – Lunch & Quiet Activity (Drop-off for PM students) 1:45 – 2:00 PM – Comedy Warm-Up & Icebreakers 2:00 – 4:00 PM – Writing, Practice, & Feedback (Joke-building, storytelling, timing) 4:00 – 4:30 PM – Wind Down & Parent Pick-Up Whether they dream of being the next great stand-up comic or just want to build confidence and have fun, this camp is the perfect place to laugh, learn, and let loose on stage! 😆🎤

Welcome to Winter Storytelling at Highest Speak! No prerequisites – this is our introductory storytelling and writing class, perfect for beginners! Whether your child is brand new to storytelling or just wants to boost their confidence, this fun, high-energy class is the perfect place to start! Students will improve both their public speaking and creative writing skills as they learn how to craft and perform powerful stories in a supportive, laughter-filled environment. From developing story structure to delivering stories out loud, students will have a blast while building real-world communication skills. And what a perfect time of year to tell magical stories! Winter is full of wonder, imagination, and inspiration—making it the ideal season to bring creative ideas to life through words and performance. Students will work on both prepared stories and impromptu storytelling, building flexibility and confidence as they learn to think on their feet and express themselves clearly and creatively. Each class includes: - Open Forum: positive group discussion to warm up and build connection - Mini Lesson: focused instruction on a storytelling or performance concept Speaking Games: fast-paced, hilarious activities to boost confidence and creativity - Story Assignment: writing or speaking activity that reinforces the day’s lesson Throughout the course, students will write, share, and present their original stories—building confidence in both written expression and spoken delivery. Individualized feedback helps each student grow at their own pace. ✨ All classes with more than 10 students are led by two instructors, ensuring personalized attention in smaller breakout groups. And yes—our instructors are not only experienced educators, but also stand-up comedians and performers—so your child can expect to laugh, engage, and leave class buzzing with excitement each week. 💬 Please Note: Light homework may be assigned each week. Students get the most out of the class when they practice their skills outside of our sessions. ** Students are also eligible (for a small fee) to sign up for our Winter “Friday Magic Mic” night (December 12) where they can perform their favorite holiday/winter themed stories!

Welcome to Winter Storytelling at Highest Speak! No prerequisites – this is our introductory storytelling and writing class, perfect for beginners! Whether your child is brand new to storytelling or just wants to boost their confidence, this fun, high-energy class is the perfect place to start! Students will improve both their public speaking and creative writing skills as they learn how to craft and perform powerful stories in a supportive, laughter-filled environment. From developing story structure to delivering stories out loud, students will have a blast while building real-world communication skills. And what a perfect time of year to tell magical stories! Winter is full of wonder, imagination, and inspiration—making it the ideal season to bring creative ideas to life through words and performance. Students will work on both prepared stories and impromptu storytelling, building flexibility and confidence as they learn to think on their feet and express themselves clearly and creatively. Each class includes: Open Forum: positive group discussion to warm up and build connection Mini Lesson: focused instruction on a storytelling or performance concept Speaking Games: fast-paced, hilarious activities to boost confidence and creativity Story Assignment: writing or speaking activity that reinforces the day’s lesson Throughout the course, students will write, share, and present their original stories—building confidence in both written expression and spoken delivery. Individualized feedback helps each student grow at their own pace. ✨ All classes with more than 10 students are led by two instructors, ensuring personalized attention in smaller breakout groups. And yes—our instructors are not only experienced educators, but also stand-up comedians and performers—so your child can expect to laugh, engage, and leave class buzzing with excitement each week. 💬 Please Note: Light homework may be assigned each week. Students get the most out of the class when they practice their skills outside of our sessions. ** Students are also eligible (for a small fee) to sign up for our Winter “Friday Magic Mic” night where they can perform their favorite holiday/winter themed stories!

. 🎬 KidSpeak Productions A Content Creation & Video Production Class for Grades 7–10 Sundays, October 5 – December 14 | 1.5 Hours for 10-Weeks! Welcome to KidSpeak Productions—where kids don’t just learn how to create content… they become part of an official production team! In this dynamic 10-week course, students in Grades 7–10 will write, film, edit, and share original content across video and digital platforms, all while building the one skill that powers everything: confident communication. From spooky short films to hilarious Thanksgiving scenes to heartwarming holiday videos, to hilarious memes, each project reinforces the core message of Highest Speak—your voice matters, and how you use it can move, inspire, and entertain! 📹 What They’ll Create: • 🎃 October: Costume Short Movie – spooky or funny Halloween-themed videos • 🦃 November: Friendsgiving or Snoopy Short – fun takes on friendship, food, and chaos • 🎄 December: Favorite Gift Ever – meaningful stories about giving, receiving, and connection • 💬 Weekly Bonus: Students also create lighthearted, humorous content like digital posters or short-form videos that explore the role of communication in everyday life 🎯 What They’ll Learn: • Camera angles, lighting, and B-roll basics • On-the-street and classmate interviewing skills • Scriptwriting, storyboarding, and character development • Editing using tools like CapCut and Canva • Voiceover and narration techniques • Content planning, teamwork, and digital storytelling 📲 Share It Loud, Share It Proud All content created will be featured on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, so students can proudly share their work with friends, family, and a real audience. 🎉 Final Day Celebration We’ll wrap with a class showcase party—featuring their finished films, behind-the-scenes highlights, and fun awards voted on by the team (Best Holiday Short, Funniest Interview, etc.). Whether your child dreams of being a YouTuber, filmmaker, or just wants to learn how to express themselves in fun and modern ways, KidSpeak Productions is where creativity meets confidence—on camera and beyond!

Level 2 Storytelling & Public Speaking (Grades 5–8) Prerequisite: Students must have completed Highest Speak’s Previous Tall Tales Storytelling class or our Summer 2025 Creative Writing Class. If your child took the Tall Tales class in Grades 2–4, an assessment with our instructors is required to determine readiness to level up, as the Grades 2–4 class is less advanced. Based on the assessment, we will recommend whether your child should enhance their skills with Level 1 or move on to Level 2. Please email info@highestspeak.com to schedule an assessment or if you’re unsure about the appropriate level. Winter is the perfect time for crafting captivating stories! In this dynamic Level 2 class, tweens and teens will deepen their storytelling skills and elevate their public speaking abilities. Designed for grades 5 through 8, this course builds on foundational techniques, encouraging students to develop more complex narratives, enhance their stage presence, and engage audiences with confidence. What students will do: - Write longer, richly detailed stories with clear structure and strong themes - Master advanced storytelling elements like voice modulation, pacing, and body language - Develop skills for both prepared presentations and impromptu storytelling - Participate in interactive games and exercises to sharpen quick thinking and creativity - Receive personalized feedback to refine delivery and storytelling techniques - Practice storytelling styles including persuasive, informative, and entertaining speeches Our instructors, who are both skilled educators and professional performers, create a supportive yet challenging environment where students thrive and have a blast! Please note: Assignments may be given to encourage practice and growth outside of class. Bonus Opportunity: Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our Friday Evening Winter “Magic Mic” Night on December 12 for a small additional fee! Registration for this event is separate.

Summer Camp Intro to Model UN (Rising Grades 9-12 ONLY) ! Based on popular demand, we are THRILLED to introduce our NEWEST summer camp evening class for High Schoolers! We have developed a 12-class hour, in-person evening camp that simplifies the principles of debate for newer high school diplomats and also makes it as FUN as possible! In our classes, we will cover: Public Speaking Research Diplomacy Debate Parliamentary Procedures All students will participate in various games/activities to allow them to understand and develop their diplomacy skills. As usual, ALL classes (with more than 8 students) are taught by two instructors to ensure that all students receive plenty of individualized attention and feedback. Short take-home assignments may be given. Students are expected to complete them in order to gain the most from this class! Day 1 Introduction to Model UN and Research Day 2 Understanding Debate and Committees Day 3 Negotiation Skills Day 4 Resolution Writing and Voting Day 5 Voting and Practice Simulation Day 6 Full Simulation (Parents are invited!) Start your Fall ready with new knowledge and experience that no other event teaches. By participating in Model United Nations, students learn: What are the biggest challenges facing the world today How to be more self-confident, especially with public speaking How to interact with other people who come from different backgrounds and perspectives How to work as a team to achieve shared goals How to take action to solve problems, on a local, national, and global scale ** This is very limited size group led by Model UN and Debate expert and PhD Candidate, Aaron Trujillo. He has coached multiple Model UN sessions as well as debate winners internationally!

Level 2 Storytelling & Public Speaking (Grades 2–4) Prerequisite: Students must have completed either Highest Speak’s Previous Tall Tales Storytelling course or our Summer 2025 Creative Writing Class. Please note, Level 1 of our Fall “Talk Trekkers” Class does NOT qualify as a prerequisite for this Level 2 Storytelling course. Winter is the perfect time for magical story writing! With the season’s cozy and inspiring atmosphere, students will be encouraged to create captivating stories filled with imagination and heart. This exciting Level 2 course builds on foundational skills, helping young storytellers and speakers develop greater confidence, creativity, and control. Designed specifically for grades 2 to 4, this class encourages students to explore new storytelling techniques, deepen their understanding of narrative structure, and improve their delivery skills. In this fun, interactive class, students will: - Create longer, more detailed stories and learn how to organize ideas clearly - Practice using expressive voice, gestures, and pacing to engage an audience - Develop skills for both prepared storytelling and impromptu storytelling - Participate in lively storytelling games and activities that sharpen quick thinking - Receive constructive feedback to help improve their storytelling and presentation - Build confidence presenting to peers in a supportive, positive environment Our instructors are experienced educators and performers who know how to keep young learners motivated and excited about public speaking and storytelling. Please note: No Classes on November 11 and Nov 25th for Student Holidays. Assignments will be given to support learning and practice outside of class for best results. Not sure if your child has taken our qualifying courses previously? Please email us at info@highestspeak.com — we’re happy to help recommend the best level for your child! Bonus Opportunity: Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our Friday Evening Winter “Magic Mic” Night on December 12 for a small additional fee! Please register separately if you would like your child to join this fun, special storytelling event.

Welcome to Winter at Highest Speak! No prerequisites necessary — this is a Level 1 introductory storytelling and writing class, perfect for beginner teens and tweens! In this fully interactive, high-energy class, students will have a ton of fun learning the essential elements of effective storytelling, story writing, and story structure. Through hilarious storytelling games and multiple hands-on storytelling assignments, your child will sharpen both their creative writing and public speaking skills. Winter is the perfect time for storytelling! With the season’s cozy vibes and magical atmosphere, students will be inspired to create and share imaginative, captivating stories that bring their ideas to life. Each class includes: - Open Forum: a positive, welcoming discussion to warm up - Mini Lesson: focused on a specific storytelling or performance topic - Speaking Games: fun, fast-paced activities to build creativity and confidence - Assignment: a daily storytelling or writing task to practice new skills For classes with more than 10 students, we provide two instructors to ensure every child receives plenty of individual attention and feedback in smaller breakout groups. Our instructors are not only professional skilled educators, but also stand-up comedians and performers, guaranteeing a fun, engaging, and memorable learning experience for every student! Please note: Assignments are expected to be completed outside of class to help students get the most out of their learning. Bonus Opportunity: Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our Friday Evening Winter “Magic Mic” Night on December 12 for a small additional fee! Please register separately if you would like your child to join this fun, special storytelling event.