Beginning Creative Writing: Writer's Workshop for Reluctant Writers

Let's write :)!  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!  The main focus of this class is for students to build confidence, brainstorm ideas with others, transfer ideas to paper, write stories, build stamina with writing, and share their writing with others. This class does not emphasize spelling and punctuation as the main focus is to help students build confidence and put their ideas down on paper.

10-15 minutes- Shared Writing- In shared writing, the teacher and students compose a story together.  I will write a story 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 (or add to a story) of their choosing.  The focus of Writer's Workshop is for students to write about whatever their heart desires :).  During this time students will be able to talk about what they are writing about and brainstorm/share their ideas with others.  Topic ideas will be shared with students who are having trouble coming up with ideas on their own.

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

This class will be different EVERY time, so you are welcome to join this class 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. :)

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

Week 1- Story Structure (Beginning, Middle, End)
Week 2- Writing a fiction story (using our imagination)
Week 3- Details in stories (who, what, when, where, why & how) 
Week 4- Writing a non-fiction story (using facts and opinions)
Week 5- Reading your writing to check for mistakes and details (proofreading/editing)
Week 6- Writing a descriptive story (using verbs and adjectives)
Week 7- Writing a letter (how to write a friendly letter)

Class Schedules:
Friday Classes (10:00 am MST):
Mar. 21- Week 1
Mar. 28- Week 2
Apr. 4- **NO CLASS**
Apr. 11- Week 3
Apr. 18- Week 4
Apr. 25- Week 5
May 2- Week 6
May 9- **NO CLASS**
May 16- Week 7

Friday Classes (2:00 pm MST):
Feb. 28- Week 1
Mar. 7- Week 2
Mar. 14- Week 3
Mar. 21- Week 4
Mar. 28- Week 5
Apr. 4- **NO CLASS**
Apr. 11- Week 6
Apr. - Week 7

*Sibling Discount available upon request*