Creative Writing Workshop: Intro to Painting With Words and More
Through group and individual wordplay and exercises, we will focus on how concrete nouns and precise active verbs breathe life into writing. This course is a sampler for an upcoming 4-week course on more related topics.
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
Students will be informally evaluated based on their participation in the group discussion and the quality of their creative activity. I will provide feedback during the activity and through individual or group reflections.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
This 50-minute standalone session serves as an introduction to the Painting with Words and More course, which will focus on enhancing writing skills through vivid descriptions, creating strong characters, and mastering dialogue. In this sampler session, we will focus on the importance of using concrete nouns and precise active verbs to bring writing to life. Students will be introduced to how specific language choices can make their writing more dynamic and engaging. This session will include a brief lesson, group discussion, and a creative activity that helps students immediately apply what they've learned. What will be taught? • Introduction to the importance of concrete nouns and precise active verbs • How these writing techniques create vivid imagery and stronger sentences • A focus on descriptive writing that "shows" rather than "tells" What topics will you cover? • The power of concrete nouns (specific, tangible words) vs. abstract nouns (general, vague words) • The role of precise active verbs in making writing more dynamic and engaging • How to rewrite sentences to make them more vivid and impactful • Applying these techniques in creative writing exercises How is your class structured? The class will be 50 minutes long, with an introduction, a discussion on the topic, a brief reading and analysis activity, and a creative writing exercise that allows students to immediately apply the new concepts. There will also be time for group reflection and sharing. How will you teach? I will use a mix of mini-lessons, examples, and group discussions to guide students through the key writing concepts. Students will practice rewriting sentences and short descriptions, helping them see the difference between vague and vivid writing. I will give feedback during the creative activity and ensure that each student feels confident in applying the techniques. What's your teaching style? My style is interactive and student-centered. I encourage participation, creative thinking, and constructive feedback. I aim to create a supportive environment where students can explore their creativity while learning practical writing techniques. How much will learners get to interact with you? Students will interact with me throughout the session in discussions, creative activities, and group reflection. I will provide immediate feedback during the activities and discussions to help them refine their writing skills.
Learning Goals
How to use concrete nouns and precise active verbs to make writing more specific and engaging
The importance of using vivid, descriptive language to create powerful imagery
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need access to a notebook or word-processing software for the short, in-class creative writing exercise. No other external tools or apps are required for this session.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Instructor-generated materials and examples for the lesson.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Harvard University
As an educator and manager of a renowned gifted education English Language Arts program, I have years of experience teaching creative writing and working with elementary, middle, and high school students in online and in-person environments. My goal is to help students develop strong writing habits and techniques they can apply to all types of writing. For additional information, please see my profile.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-12 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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