HuckleBerry
Center for Creative Learning
Andrew Holyfield
Hi everyone! My name is Andrew. I graduated Summa Cum Laude at UC Riverside in 2016, with a B.A. in Creative Writing. While there, I completed the Honors Program, published a thesis, was an editor for both the campus Research Journal and Honors Program literary journal, joined the Writing Program as a Teaching Assistant, and completed three MFA courses, all with a 4.0 GPA.
Tutoring started for me in the campus Writing Program, in which I tutored eighteen students per week. Around that same time, my younger brother, diagnosed with Aspergers, started college. I tutored him during his four-year journey to receive his Paraprofessional Certificate.
Nerdy as it sounds, I love Grammar and read often (in-between Netflix binges). Until my time at UC Riverside, I abhorred reading and preferred the trusty summaries from Spark Notes. I know English and writing can be both challenging and boring, but perhaps all a struggling student needs a little help and positive reinforcement. If that sounds like you or your kid, I'd love to help.
I’m a published songwriter with 20+ years experience in the music industry.
Book Club!
Ages 10-13. Older students welcomed but no high school credit will be given for this class.
​
Requirements: Required homework each week. Please plan on at least an hour of reading each week with an additional hour of writing once we have started writing assignments. Students must be willing to participate in discussions and ideas about these books.
​
I am excited to introduce the in-person book club, in which we will be reading books from across various genres and time periods. Each trimester will include two books, one considered a classic, the other a “fan favorite.” Class will center around building close reading skills, discussing themes and layered symbolism that commentate on the universal human experiences (life outside of the books). Students will also see the unique comparisons these novels have on a literary level, despite differing in plot and genre.
Students will have writing assignments in correlation to the text and class discussions, along with a formal book report, expressing their understanding and ideas of these greater themes, as well as comparing themes from the books.
Selected readings are subject to change, depending on class suggestions!
Fall
Book 1: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Book 2: Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone
Winter
Book 1: Holes
Book 2: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Spring
Book 1: Bridge To Terabithia
Book 2: The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe
​
Contact
Andrew Holyfield