Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Prosper Arts: Writing and Illustration Classes Spring 2026
All students must complete a project for these classes.
Instructor: Heather West: 269-351-2351 (call or text)
Location: 117 W Ferry St. Berrien Springs Mi. - Studio is located above the Rabbit Yarn shop. Parking is on the street and the entrance is in the back. (Look for the green Prosper Arts signs)
Format: In-person
Additional registration on-site is not required.
Jr. Storybook Writing and Illustration
Grades: K-4
Day/Time: Wednesdays 10:00 AM -11:30 PM, beginning January 28th
In this class, students will learn how to create a book cover, write a simple story, map out their text, and illustrate pages. At the end of the class, each student will get to “publish” their book by mailing their pages to be printed as a hardcover book. Each class will begin with a brief lesson and a quiz with prizes over the previous week’s topic. There will be an instructor-led project with a short snack/ break time in the middle. The Gallery at the end of the semester will allow each student to display their book for others to read.
Jr. Storybook Writing and Illustration Syllabus
Creative Writing
Grades: 5-12
Day/Time: Wednesdays 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, beginning January 28th
In this class, students will be given writing prompts to create poetry and short stories. We will focus on several different types of poetry writing styles such as Hikaus, Limmericks, and stories written from first and third person perspectives.
Class will begin with a lesson and example of the writing style that students will be prompted to use each week. There will be a small snack break time during each class.
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your students Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Lisa Van Plew-Cid
