Creative Writing 2a- 10 Random Sentences, Your Creative Mind,and a Fun Story!
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students may be given an assignment to work to reach a certain point in the rough draft of the creative writing piece in between the first and second class and the second and third class and then after the third class, there may need to be an assignment to complete the work and send it to the teacher or add a half an hour onto the class at some further date to edit and revise with anyone who does not get to have that happen during class.Class Experience
This is a unique creative writing class because learners will not only create a story from any genre, or combination of genres, of interest, but will also have fun using imagination to include 10 random sentences that I will be giving to them at different times during the first two sessions. The learner will be needing to include the sentences into the story in a way that makes sense in an totally creative way and the end product will be between two and five pages long. The class is based on a fun and happy atmosphere where learners will be encouraged to write, challenge themselves, and create pieces of writing that will astound them with the detail, depth, voice, quality, emotion, and figurative language. Each class will include many lessons on specific skills focused for the piece and if we have more than three or four learners in the class, it is probable that some may need to sign up for an additional 30 minutes at the end of class, for no additional charge, to edit and revise with the instructor through zoom by sharing the screen. The class is designed to be able to be taken more than one time by having new sentences to be randomly included in the writing. Skills encouraged during the first session, and built upon in the other sessions include: Class one theme: The Writing Process and Planning Stages – opening paragraphs writing Staying on topic, writing in an active voice, choosing strong, precise, verbs, and adjectives and adverbs, using some dialogue to connect the characters and add depth., Developing believable, interesting characters, remembering when to start a new paragraph, the usage of figurative language, how to keep the readers attention through your plot and word choices, cliffhangers foreshadowing. Class Two Theme – Fine-tuning the Writing Process and Depth and Creativity to your Writing Style – The second session will involve more information and detail on staying on topic, writing in an active voice with emotion and specific word choices, using figurative language and powerful description, first person versus third person And the benefit of adding specific settings. Week three theme – the Skills for Editing and Revising and completing A powerful conclusion set of paragraphs The third session will include adjective, adverb and verb placement, full details for conflicts, literary elements, climax, and resolutions, and editing in revisions skills. My classes are always constructed in a way that the expectations are that everyone is treated equally with positivity and kindness, and everyone always feels welcome in the class. In order to create these documents, it is encouraged that the student use Google Docs, and if not available to use any kind of document program we can share the screen.
Other Details
Supply List
The character trait list and the ways to say said, without saying said paper plus a PDF that will be sent 2 to 3 days before class to please print and bring to class. Any paperback book so that we may use the dialogue in there as a model would be excellent.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
It would be very helpful if the student and or adult in the house went to a search engine such as Google ahead of class to find/print two items: a list of character traits, and a list of ways to say the word said, without saying said. Those are very helpful papers to have during the writing process.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from The College of St. Rose
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Union College
There is nothing more exciting than when you see a student think deeply, question ideas, share a new thought, or explore character’s actions/ decisions or a quote or a purpose the author had when writing a novel and then connect the information to learner’s own story in life. Helping students reach their full potential, and beyond, in a setting that is safe, exciting, creative and funny is what teaching is all about to me. The climate has to be one that is free from bullying, pressure, and negative interactions and, instead, is one that students can’t wait to get to as they know the time in that class will be rewarding, creative, stimulating, and allow them to be who they really are and share what they want to share. There is nothing more exciting, as a teacher, then when that light bulb illuminates and a student feels confident to share and take an idea, quote, author’s purpose or decision from a book and see how it can affect real life or when a learner sees their full potential, in the written word they create.
We can make literature, come alive in a really fun, fast-paced active discussion filled atmosphere.
My background professionally is having taught third grade, fifth grade, and Sixth grade language arts for 33 years with a background in psychology, elementary education, school administration and an extensive background in overnight camping.My favorite teaching topics include writing poetry, creative and nonfiction writing, and reading/sharing outstanding literature with discussions that bring critical thinking skills and life lessons to the students. I am excited to bring this teaching to an environment that is bully free with motivated students in a small group setting.I always look forward to reading my students work as I see such brilliance in people of this age.
I can be found in the upstate NY, most often being out on the lake in my boat from spring to fall (I love being on water!), playing guitar and singing, collecting Pez, reading , cooking and baking, volunteering in the community as often as I can to make things better for others, and spending lots of time with Derby, the wonder dog, my amazingly bright and talented rescue dog who undoubtably will make visits into the virtual classroom. I also enjoy bike riding, yoga, and meditation. Most importantly, I place great emphasis on finding ways, small and big ways, that will allow my students and myself to make our mark in this world and make it a better place for others. The small ways are most often the best ways and I believe students are brilliant people who can absolutely change the world.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$23
weekly or $68 for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
2-6 learners per class