French Creative Writing for Kids: Describe the Elves’ House (Ages 8-12)

In this 45-minute creative writing workshop, students will learn to describe a magical location—the elves' house—by focusing on physical details, spatial organization, and enriching their vocabulary to create an immersive scene. Additionally, students will receive personalized feedback on their work within the week following the workshop.

What will be taught?

Writing a detailed description of a place, focusing on physical aspects.
Structuring a description using spatial organization to situate elements effectively.
Expanding descriptive vocabulary to make the scene vivid and engaging.


What topics will you cover?

Spatial organization for structuring descriptive texts.
Vocabulary building with a themed word list for describing magical places.
Techniques to create an immersive and lively description.


How is your class structured?

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

Begin with a brief reading of the mise en situation d'écriture to set the scene and spark imagination.

Quick brainstorming: Ask students to imagine walking through the elves' house—what would they see, hear, or feel?


2. Mini-Lesson on Spatial Organization (10 minutes)

Present the fiche explicative sur l’organisation spatiale, explaining how to organize descriptions logically (e.g., from the outside in or top to bottom).

Provide a concrete example from the exemple de texte inspirant to illustrate spatial organization.


3. Guided Writing Activity (20 minutes)

Students work on their description using the feuille de rédaction, which guides them step by step.

Encourage them to refer to the liste de vocabulaire to enrich their writing.

Check in with each student to provide individualized support or suggestions.


4. Sharing & Reflection (10 minutes)

Invite students to share one or two sentences they are most proud of.

Provide positive and constructive feedback, highlighting strong use of spatial organization or vivid vocabulary.


5. Post-Class Feedback

After the workshop, students can submit their completed descriptions for detailed, personalized feedback. 

Feedback will focus on their use of spatial organization, vocabulary, and overall creativity. 

Feedback will be provided within one week.


How will you teach?

I use a mix of direct instruction, guided practice, and interactive discussion. The class is highly hands-on, with students actively writing during most of the session, supported by clear examples and resources.

What's your teaching style?

I focus on fostering creativity while providing a structured framework to support skill development. My style is collaborative and encouraging, ensuring students feel comfortable exploring their ideas.

How much will learners interact with you?

During the workshop: discussions during brainstorming and the mini-lesson, one-on-one guidance during the writing phase, and group sharing in the reflection segment.
After the workshop: detailed, personalized feedback on their descriptions, allowing learners to continue improving their writing skills.