Beginning Creative Writing: Science and Nature Focused Writer's Workshop

Let's write about science and nature :)!  Each class is structured like a mini-Writer's Workshop session.  The beauty of Writer's Workshop is that students can write about whatever they want!  Students do not need to be fluent writers or spellers for this class.  The main focus for this class is for students to brainstorm ideas with others, to transfer their ideas to paper, to write stories, to build stamina with writing, to boost confidence, and to share their writing (stories) with others.  *Drawing stories (pictures) counts as "writing" for beginning writers.

8-10 minutes- Shared Writing- In shared writing, the teacher and students compose a story together.  I will write a story on a specific topic with brainstorming and the shared ideas from students.

5 minutes- Mini lesson- During this time I will teach a quick writing lesson using the story that we have composed together.  This lesson will vary each week and will focus on the skills listed below.

15-20 minutes- Writing- Each learner will write a story of their choosing.  The focus of Writer's Workshop is for students to write about whatever their heart desires :) (fiction or non-fiction).  During this time, students will be able to talk about what they are writing about and brainstorm/share their ideas with others.  There will be a topic focus each week which will help with brainstorming, planning, etc.

10-15 minutes- Share Time- Each child will be given the opportunity to share their story with the group (but are not required to).

This class will be different EVERY time, so you are welcome to join as many times as you'd like!  The skills may be repeated but the stories that we write together, and the stories that the children write, will be different in each class session :)!

* This class will sometimes go a little over the scheduled ending time due to learner discussion.

Class 1- Emphasizing story Structure (Beginning, Middle, End) 
Topic Focus: Animals and their Habitats

Class 2- Story Details (who, what, when, where, why & how)
Topic Focus: Motion, Energy and Simple Machines

Class 3- Writing a fiction story (using our imagination) 
Topic Focus: The Sun, The Moon and The Stars

Class 4- Writing a non-fiction story (using facts and opinions)
Topic Focus: Earth's Resources

Class 5- Proofreading (checking for mistakes and how to correct them)
Topic Focus: Plants, Trees and Flowers

Class 6- Writing an opinion story (with details)
Topic Focus: Weather

Class 7- Writing a letter (how to write a friendly letter) 
Topic Focus: The Seasons

Class 8- Writing a fiction story (using our imagination) 
Topic Focus: The Human Body, Food and Nutrition