Creative Writing for Cat-Lovers: Enjoy Descriptive Writing & Discussing Cats

Students LOVE writing about cats in this class!
Note: Students are welcome to join this ongoing class at any time. 

This small group learning environment pairs students' interest in cats with developing and having fun with writing skills. This inclusive class is for anyone who loves cats. I have combined my nearly 20 years of teaching experience in a classroom with my passion for writing and love of cats to design this engaging class.

This class aims to:
-Build student's confidence and foster a love for writing
-Provide a place for students to talk about cats and be social
-Develop students' creative writing skills
-Teach students about different types of literary devices (figurative language) to create strong writing
-Review/Teach students about point of view and maintaining a consistent tense in writing
-Improve students' written expression (specifically work on clarity of expression)
-Encourage students to think carefully about word choice 
-Develop students' understanding of the writing process

Each class will include the following activities:

1. Greetings and introductions.

2.  Find the Best Descriptor Activity: Students create a list of strong/unique descriptive words for an object (connected to the final image) bases on word lists that describe elements of an object like colour, texture, shape and sound. (For example, does the 'MIST' 'glide, swirl, float, hover, creep, slither...' around the cat? 

3. The Descriptive Challenge: Using the list of descriptive words from the previous exercise, students will use a countdown clock to create a short description of their object within an assigned time. (Students will think about describing the object to someone who doesn't know anything about it.) Students are always impressed with how great these sound!

4. Figurative Language Mini-Lesson: Students learn about imagery and another type of figurative language. They will create an example of it as a class and attempt to include it (as well as imagery) in their final writing exercise. Examples of figurative language: metaphor, imagery, simile, onomatopoeia, personification, hyperbole and alliteration.

5. Final Writing Exercise: Students select an image that includes the object from the earlier exercises and then work through planning and then writing a descriptive piece about it. Students will aim to write shorter, quality descriptions using their learning from the previous activities.

6.  Sharing and Feedback: Students are encouraged to share part or all of their final writing piece and will receive positive feedback about their work. Students enjoy hearing how other students interpret the images!

I am a very positive and encouraging teacher, and I use a variety of methods that appeal to both visual and linguistic learners. This class will use many approaches for learning, including discussion, slides, video clips and audio clips. Students will receive lots of verbal feedback, and there are many opportunities for students to participate throughout the class. I love talking about cats and watching students achieve success in their writing.

Students do not need to have any prior knowledge about cats. Students taking this class are strongly encouraged to have their cameras on as it develops students' intrapersonal skills and I can more effectively teach and respond to students' non-verbal cues. Students will need lined paper and a pen or pencil and/or a device for typing.

You are welcome to request another time or day for this class and/or you may request a private one-on-one class.

Parents are sent a short email after EACH class (by the end of the day) to communicate class content and provide some learner feedback...which many homeschooling parents find helpful.

Tentative Schedule for Writing Topics:

Week of January 5 – Cats and Snowmen
Week of January 12 – Cats by Fireplaces
Week of January 19 – Cats and Thunderstorms
Week of January 26 – Cats & Northern Lights
Week of February 2 – Cats in a Snowy Forest
Week of February 9 – Cats and Waterfalls 
Week of February 16 – Cats & Moonlight Sliver
Week of February 23 – Grey Cats
Week of March 2 – Swimming Cats
Classes will continue weekly with varied topics.