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Create, Describe and Write With Style

Fun themes with real writing practice! We begin class with a small introduction of writing skills, provide a prompt (use it or lose it), write for 20 minutes, Share, give feedback and have fix-up writing time!
Mrs. Borell Reading Specialist M.A.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(37)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

This is a course that is ongoing.  Feel free to drop in and out as you would like. 

We will be using our imaginations, creativity and writing skills to engage a reader.  This will be a prompt driven class with a mini lesson and lots of time to grow into your writing style.  The teacher will be creating and sharing too, while offering feedback and support as students demand it. You can share, you don't have to share.  You can talk, laugh and engage other students for their ideas and feedback.  Very low stress course.  

I teach within the common core standards and incorporate writing standards into my minilessons.  I offer minilessons that make sense to our writing task. After the minilesson, students begin the writing process.  They can choose to utilize my prompt or just write within the creative idea of the day.  

Teacher and students will write together. Students can actively engage with the teacher and ask for suggestions or read sections they are excited about. The class is very laid back where creativity is sure to flourish.  If you are looking for grammar, spelling, sentence structure lessons I can incorporate my 1-1-tutoring to make the transition seamless.  


Week of Dec 2nd
Develop Characterization skills.
Make up an imaginary friend. What does he or she look like? What does he or she like to do?
Week of Dec 9th
Continue Character work.  Focus on elements of character development. 
Create a story about a person you know. Use as many details as possible.
Week of Dec 23rd
Elements of Plot. Personal narrative. 
Write a short story based on a true event in your life.
Week of Dec 30th
Learn elements of an antagonist and protagonist
Rewrite a chapter of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view. 
Week of Jan 6
Learning past, present and future tense
Write a letter to your future self. What do you want to make sure you remember?
Week of Jan 13
Elements of Creativity 
Go on a five-senses scavenger hunt. Find three items for each sense. Create a story using the items you found. 
Week of Jan 20
Visualization through the senses. 
Create a story around an interesting picture.
Week of Jan 27
Writing from background knowledge/Building background knowledge. 
Describe what school would be like if you lived on the moon. What would you be learning about? How would you be learning it?
Feb 3
Continue Writing from background knowledge/Building background knowledge. Sequence writing.
Describe a day in the life of a famous person in history. Include both mundane and exciting details of things they may have experienced on a normal day.
Feb 10
Develop persuasive techniques.
Pick up something on a bookshelf or end table nearby. Now write a commercial script for it to convince your audience that they absolutely must own this thing.
Feb 17
Bringing ideas to life through vivid language
Plan a birthday party for your best friend. Describe the decorations, food, and everything else.
Feb 24
Developing perspective and POV
Write a very short story about three siblings fighting over a toy. Now rewrite it twice, each time from a different character’s perspective.
March 2nd
Writing from an outside perspective, while building background knowledge. 
Tell a story from the point of view of a pigeon on a city street.
March 30th
Elements of a scary story, with a fun twist. 
Have you ever had a nightmare? Write what happened but with a new ending where everything turns out okay (perhaps the monster was your dad in a costume, preparing to surprise you at your birthday party).
April 6
Understanding elements of News writing. 
 Take an important event in your life or the life of someone in your family. Write one sentence answering each of the 6 journalistic questions: Who, What, When, Where, why, and how. Create a Newspaper article.
April 13
Build background or develop creativity while understanding sequence. 
Pick something you use often (a toothbrush, your desk, etc). Then tell the story of how it was invented. If you don’t know, make something up.
April 20
Understanding elements of fantasy writing
Choose a princess or hero and write a one-page story about him or her traveling to a distant land.
April 27
Characteristics of a quality speech 
Pretend you are a tour guide for a local attraction. It can be a library, a park, or a museum, but it could also be a place that wouldn’t normally hold tours (such as an arcade). Write a speech about what you tell your tour group as you walk around the attraction.
May 4
Developing the senses in a funny way! 
Make a list of foods included in a dinner party catered by the world’s worst cook, describing how each course looks, smells, and tastes. Include your reactions while eating it.
May 11
Qualities of effective instructions. 
Write out your own version of instructions for playing your favorite game (board game, video game, sports or more!)
May 25
Developing your senses without utilizing sight (the most overused sense)! 
Pretend you’ve lost your sight for one night. Describe going out to eat at a restaurant, using smells, textures, and sounds to tell your story.
Jun 1
Develop persuasive techniques. 
List your 3 least favorite chores. Pick one and write a one paragraph detailing why you can’t possibly complete that chore ever again.
June 8
Qualities of journal writing and POV. 
Write an excerpt from your pet’s diary (pretend he keeps one).
June 15
Qualities of a movie script 
Write the script for a movie trailer—real or imagined.
June 29th
Develop a scenario for a game utilizing vivid details
Pretend you’re the master of a role-playing game, describing a sticky situation in which the other players now find themselves. Describe the scenario in writing.
July 6
Learn elements of humor and drama. 
Compose a funny or dramatic story for a photo.
Week 30
Qualities of a political speech 
Write an election speech with ludicrous and impossible campaign promises.

 Let's have some fun!

Other Details

External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2023
5.0
37reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Iowa Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in Science from Drake University
I have taught At-Risk English and English/Reading at the High School level for over 20 years.  I am licensed to teach, English grades 6-12 and English/Reading grades k-12. I have a Masters in Science with a focus on mental health. I love all the arts, museums, learning and travel. I believe in being an active learner and want to see my students develop their passions.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$15

weekly
1x per week
55 min

Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-6 learners per class

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