Creative Writing: Character Building and Story Development (Age 10-14)
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This class will teach the students to create characters and build stories around them. When we work with characters, we trigger our imagination to create stories, worlds, and other characters. In many ways, this process works the same way as when children play freely and use their imagination. The difference is that we will write it all down. I encourage each student to write with their own style and voice. This doesn't mean that we can't get better. Writing is just like a muscle. The more...
8 lessons//8 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1IntroductionThe first class is an introduction to the class, during which we go over what will be covered during the eight weeks. The students also write a bit, and we start talking about characters.Week 2Lesson 2Character buildingThe students introduce their character ideas in class, and we also talk about what stories our characters' looks tell.Week 3Lesson 3A character's forceWhat influences our characters' behavior, decisions, and thoughts?Week 4Lesson 4Outline and planningShow how outlining or planning our writing can help us write longer and more detailed. The teacher will show two different ways to brainstorm ideas for an outline or plan.Week 5Lesson 5Memories and dramatic eventsHow we can use our memories to add details to our writing what dramatic events are and how they influence our characters and stories.Week 6Lesson 6Foreshadowing and dreamsWhat is foreshadowing, and what can we use to foreshadow what will happen in our stories? How can we utilize our characters' dreams in our writing?Week 7Lesson 7"Interview" and book coversThe students will answer two questions about their story and characters, and we will discuss book covers and book blurbs.Week 8Lesson 8Publishing, marketing, and competitionsThis lesson will cover how we can get published and market ourselves. We will also talk about writing competitions and how they work.
During the class about foreshadowing I will mention fortune tellers and horoscopes as ways to foreshadow in a story. During the seventh class when we discuss book covers I will show a book cover from a book called Alone in Berlin. This book takes place in Berlin during World War II and one of the covers shows the nazi symbol.
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
$19
weekly or $150 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Completed by 820 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-10 learners per class