In each week's class, students will learn a writing lesson, be shown a surprise picture to use as inspiration, and will be given 10-20 minutes to write a creative short story which they can share with the group at the end of class.

This class will meet on an ongoing basis, each class with the same structure, but a new picture prompt each week.

Class Activities: 

- Introduction

- Writing Lesson: 
          Topics vary but may include: parts of speech (adjectives, verbs, adverbs, etc.), figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, etc.), characters, setting, plot, poetry, problem and solution, writing great first sentences and story endings, and a variety of other writing topics. 

          Upcoming Topics: 
Monday, November 18 through Sunday, November 24: Intro to Genres
Monday, November 25 through Sunday, December 1: Fiction Vs. Non-fiction
Monday, December 2 through Sunday, December 8: Mystery
Monday, December 9 through Sunday, December 15: Science Fiction
Monday, December 16 through Sunday, December 22: Historical Fiction
Monday, December 23 through Sunday, December 29: Realistic Fiction


- Choose our surprise picture: 
          A student is randomly chosen each week to choose our surprise picture. The chosen picture (often a cute or funny, age-appropriate image) will be used as inspiration and the topic of the story each student writes. 

- Brainstorming: 
          The teacher will facilitate a time of brainstorming and answering questions about the picture to help students develop ideas for their stories before writing.

- Writing time: 
          Students will write their stories in a private (just one student) breakout room for 10 to 20 minutes. The time given varies based on the number of students in class and how long other activities take. Most weeks, most class sections will have 15-20 minutes. On some occasions, in full classes, or where there is more discussion during the writing lesson and brainstorming times, students may have less than 15 minutes, but never less than 10. Students are encouraged to write as much as they can in the time they have and are reminded that it is okay if their story is not completely finished when time is up.

- Sharing time: 
          Students are welcome to read their stories aloud (though not required). The teacher and students will offer positive comments, emojis, and reactions to each other. 

*Please note that this class does not focus on helping students improve spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, or other writing mechanics.