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Animal Fiction-Beginners Creative Writing

In this six week class the student will learn how to write animal fiction and share their story with the class.
Jessika O'Sullivan
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(1,153)
Popular
Class

What's included

6 live meetings
4 hrs 30 mins in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. To have a story to read and share in class number 6.
Assessment
If the student wants feedback on their story, they can send it in typed format to the teacher.

Class Experience

US Grade 2 - 4
Beginner Level
Will you write about a squirrel family preparing for winter but all their nuts keep disappearing  or fox twins who get separated from their family and have to find their way home? Or maybe a house cat who sets up a talent show with the pets in the neighborhood or maybe a young lioness who is about to become the leader of their pride. 


In animal fiction our characters are animals and it is only our imagination that sets the limit for what will happen. 

Lesson 1 
Create and describe the character

Lesson 2
Plan my story backwards-from the end to the beginning to make sure the story includes everything. 

Lesson 3
How will they speak?  
Will they use different words than we humans do? 
For example; sun is the gold shine and the moon is the silver shine. 

Lesson 4
How do they live? 
In houses, burrows, tree trunks, caves or  dens? 
What do they eat? 
Do they go to school and work? 

Lesson 5 
Research-learn about the animals in my story to add details. 

Lesson 6 
Read your story in class. 

The student will have time to write in class but might also need to write in between classes. 

If the student prefers I can read their story in class.
Learning Goals
To write a animal fiction story
To learn to be descriptive in their writing
learning goal

Syllabus

6 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Character creation
 We will talk about what details we can use to describe a character, including their looks and personality. The students will have time to create their own character for the class. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Plan my story
 I will show the students a way to plan their stories backward, thinking about the goal or end of the story and everything that needs to happen for that end or goal to come true. The students will have time in class to start their own plans. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
How will they speak?
 We will discuss how animals might use different words or expressions. For example, calling humans "furless two-leggers" or calling a river "the snakey water." The students will have time to think about a few words and expressions their character can use. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
How do they live?
 We will talk about how their character lives and how to describe it with as many details as possible, including shapes, sizes, and colors. 
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2016
4.9
1153reviews
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Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
In my creative writing classes, I encourage students to draw from their experiences and thoughts to create unique pieces and share my passion for writing. This passion has been recognized with four awards for a short story and three poems,  which I hope will inspire your students.

I am an immigrant from Sweden with a master's degree in education from Lund/Malmö University.
I am dedicated to forming connections with my students and customizing my teaching to suit their age. I aim to challenge my students while ensuring they never feel like failures. Patience, humor, and kindness are paramount in my approach.

As a teacher, I foster critical thinking through various activities such as research and discussions. The most rewarding part of my job is igniting my students' joy of learning and nurturing their curiosity about the world.

I believe in incorporating play into my teaching whenever possible, as I believe that everyone, regardless of age, has a playful side.


I have previously taught social and political science, religion, and geography and have nearly 25 years of experience working with children of different ages.

My diverse interests include folklore, photography, nature, books, and history, particularly on overlooked historical figures. I hope to share these interests with your students, sparking their curiosity and broadening their horizons.

I eagerly look forward to having your student in my class and am excited to embark on this learning journey together!

Reviews

Live Group Course
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$13

weekly or $75 for 6 classes
1x per week, 6 weeks
45 min

Completed by 33 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-10
2-6 learners per class

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