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FLEX: Roll and Write -- A Creative Writing Class for Kids

In each class of this 4 week flex course, learners will write a short story based on elements generated with a roll of a number cube. There will be no live meetings in this course.
Mary Dansak
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(626)
Class
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What's included

Homework
1 hour per week. In addition to watching two videos, which will be approximately 20 minutes long in total, students are expected to spend approximately 10 minutes on the exercises and 20 minutes writing the story, and a few minutes uploading it to the classroom and responding to others.
Assessment
I will give written feedback to include pointing out one area of strength and one area in which to improve for one story uploaded to the classroom per week.

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 5
Need help wrangling those wild, creative story ideas? We all have stories to tell. Sadly, sometimes they're just a jumble of loose ends running around like crazy in our heads and they never make it to the paper! In this flexible-schedule class, we will learn to wrestle and tame our creativity, and get the stories down. 

In each class we will review the classic elements of a story (character, setting, goal, conflict, and resolution for example). Using a number cube, students will randomly generate story elements with which to weave their own excellent short stories in just 20 minutes. 

Each week, students will watch a short video in which I will walk students through a mini-lesson on a specific area of focus. I will provide examples and exercises related to the weekly area of focus. In a separate video, I will introduce the topic for the story. The topics are listed at the end of this description. Some stories might take place in unusual settings, and some may involve whacky characters. Students will roll their own number cube to randomly generate a combination of story elements such as a main character, setting, goal, conflict, and resolution. Students are welcome to tweak the suggestions given. 

The videos are created by the teacher. Some are housed on YouTube and shared in the Outschool Classroom, and students are limited to viewing only the videos uploaded for this class through the classroom. Others are housed on Canva, and only the video assigned can be viewed with the link. When possible, videos are shared directly in the classroom.

Learners are encouraged to try to write their complete first draft of a short story in 20 minutes, though they can take more time if needed. Learners will upload their stories via video or word file, and I will provide using the "praise and polish" guideline, that is, finding a strength and something to improve in each story. Students will be encouraged to respond to each other's stories as well. I will also provide specific feedback prompts.

Although there will be no face-to-face meetings, interaction among participants is encouraged in the classroom. I give feedback to all participation.

About my style: I run an interactive classroom as much as possible. Students are encouraged to share ideas and offer polite suggestions. I strive to treat each student with respect and I value every contribution. Even with 30-plus years in education under my belt, I remain inspired by the creativity and wonder of each child I teach. These short story classes never disappoint.

Week 1: Abracadabra! Writer Your Own Magical Tale! (focus on dialogue)
Week 2: Special Delivery! Write Your Own Stork Tale! (focus on sensory details)
Week 3: Under the Sea! Write Your Own Ocean Tale! (focus on rich vocabulary)
Week 4: It's a Jungle Out There! Write Your Own Rainforest Story! (include an idiom)
Learning Goals
Students will review elements of a story.
Students will practice incorporating new skills into their stories.
Students will write a creative short story based on randomly assigned elements.
Students will read and listen to others by accessing the Outschool classroom feature.
Students will interact with other students in the Outschool classroom.
Students will improve their creative writing skills.
Students will begin to create a portfolio of their stories.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
YouTube is a COPPA approved site, and approved by Outschool. Students will not actually go to YouTube, rather, they will access videos created by the teacher and linked through the Outschool Classroom. Students will not be able to browse YouTube; they will only have access to the videos linked. Canva is an online platform which houses some of the videos for this course. It is COPPA approved. Students do not need to register or sign in, and they will only be able to access the videos I share via the links in the classroom. In addition to teaching middle school for 21 years and working with middle school teachers for an additional 6 years, I have enjoyed creative writing my whole life. I wrote my first award-winning story in first grade. I have co-authored three anthologies of creative works, and my stories have been published in print and on-line publications.
Supply List
Students will need one 6-sided number cube (a die) and something to write on/with. 
For students wishing to upload their stories, they will need a device with which to record themselves reading their story, or a device on which to write their story in a format which can be uploaded to the classroom. If uploading pictures of handwritten stories, please be sure they are focused and clear.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2020
4.9
626reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from Auburn University
I have enjoyed creative writing my whole life. I wrote my first award-winning story in first grade. I have co-authored three anthologies of creative works, and my stories have been published in print and on-line publications. 

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Live Group Class
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$11

weekly or $44 for 4 weeks
4 weeks

Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 9-11

This class is no longer offered
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