Creative Writing-Character and World Building
Jessika O'Sullivan
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(1,099)
This 12-week class will challenge young writers to step out of their writing comfort zone and create new characters and build worlds.
Class experience
US Grade 6 - 9
We writers often fall into a way of writing that is comfortable to us and that we know how to write. Sort of like the person who walks the exact same way to work every day or someone who does the same exercise over and over. Eventually, both our minds and bodies know everything and won’t get challenged or grow. The student will create four different characters with accompanying worlds. For each character and world the student writes a short story or “first chapter” of a novel that everyone...
12 lessons//12 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Story 1- Child on a Farm-Character developmentWe will discuss character one (child on a farm) and character development -looks -personality -backstory -family Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 2Lesson 2Story 1- Child on a Farm-World buildingWe will discuss world-building for the first story (The Farm) -location -maps -history -descriptive writing Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 3Lesson 3Story 1-Presentation of the storyWe will read and talk about everyone's stories.Week 4Lesson 4Story 2- Young woman in a city - Character developmentWe will discuss character two (a young woman in a city) and character development -looks -personality -backstory -family Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories .Week 5Lesson 5Story 2-Young woman in a city-World buildingWe will discuss world-building for the second story (The city) -location -maps -history -descriptive writing Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 6Lesson 6Story 2- Presentation of the storyWe will read and talk about everyone's stories.Week 7Lesson 7Story 3- A boy in Berlin in 1944 -Character developmentWe will discuss character three (a boy in Berlin in 1944) and character development -looks -personality -backstory -family We will also discuss the importance of research in historical fiction and what it was like to be a child in Germany during World War II. Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 8Lesson 8Story 3-A boy in Berlin in 1944-World buildingWe will discuss world-building for the third story (Berlin in 1944) -location -maps -history -descriptive writing We will look at maps and talk about Berlin and what it was like to live there in 1944. Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 9Lesson 9Story 3-Presentation of the storiesWe will read and talk about everyone's stories.Week 10Lesson 10Story 4- An ancient fairy or alien-Character developmentWe will discuss character four (an ancient fairy or alien) and character development -looks -personality -backstory -family Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 11Lesson 11Story 4- An ancient fairy or alien-World-buildingWe will discuss world-building for the fourth story (a fantasy land or another planet) -location -maps -history -descriptive writing Every 60-minute class section will be divided into 20 minutes of teacher-led instruction and 30-35 minutes when the students work on their stories.Week 12Lesson 12Story 4-Presentation of the storiesWe will read and talk about everyone's stories.
Become stronger, more descriptive writers and gain confidence in their ability to create characters and worlds.
Homework Offered
To write a short story or "first chapter" for each of the four characters and be willing to share their writing and receive feedback from others.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
Each student as a writer will bring with them their own writing and some might write about sensitive subjects like depression, violence, anxiety etc.
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(1,099)
I believe in creating connections with my students and keeping my teaching age appropriate. My teaching will challenge my students but never let them fail or feel like they are failing. Patience, silliness, and kindness go a long way. As a...
Group Class
$15
weekly or $180 for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
60 min
Completed by 43 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
3-6 learners per class
