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Inviting Creative Writing 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade: Crafting A Suspenseful Story

In this ongoing creative writing class learners will be able to use specific strategies to build suspense while writing their own short story. #creative
Liz Ward, B.ed & Teacher Librarian Diploma
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(94)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 5
This class is perfect for learners who like to read and write spooky, scary or mysterious stories! This is an interactive and engaging class. Learners will work through the stages of writing: prewriting, drafting, revising/editing and sharing with an audience. While drafting learners will participate in mini lessons on how to create suspense in their short stories. During the mini-lessons learners will be given examples of the writing strategy we are practicing from my story that I am writing alongside my learners. Then they will then be given a chance to practice their new skill during independent writing time. During the independent writing time, I encourage learners to message me in the chat if they become stuck or don’t know where their story should go next. The class will be structured as follows:

-three-minute write 
-mini-lesson on a writing strategy (most of these emphasize building suspense)
-learners practice the skill and work in their story during independent writing time
-learners share a favourite part of their story with the group
-teacher gives two stars and a wish

***Learners are welcome to join our class anytime in the series***
*** The Saturday section loops back to the beginning on November 5th***

Here is the Spring schedule for the mini-lessons:

Saturday Section (2pm PST)

April 8, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Writing Dialogue
April 15, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Put in a Hard Decision
April 22, 2023 -- Mini lesson - No class
April 29, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Speed Up a Scene
May 6, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Similes
May 13, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Creating a Great Villain
May 20, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Revising/Editing

**Loops back to the beginning**

May 27, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Hooking the Reader
June 3, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Developing a Character
June 10, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Leaving Important Information Out
June 17, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Slow It Down 
June 24, 2023 -- Mini lesson - Writing Dialogue

Video Mini lesson - Short Story Inspiration Brainstorming with a graphic organizer -- this mini lesson will be sent to you via video recording after you enrol. Please note if you enrol right before the live meeting begins I will send it to you after our class. In this video lesson I show my brainstorm for my story and walk your learner through the steps to brainstorming. Please have them watch the video lesson and complete the short story inspiration brainstorm for their own story. This way they come to class excited, prepared with lots of ideas and ready to begin writing their story.
Learning Goals
Learners will be able to write a suspenseful short story from beginning to end using newly learned writing skills while following the writing stages.
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
-writer's notebook
-pencil
-eraser
-handouts will be made available in the classroom every week
 2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined November, 2020
5.0
94reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Welcome to my profile page! My name is Ms. Liz and I'm a passionate educator who loves teaching grade 2-7 learners specific writing strategies. I have lots of experience working with learners who don’t like to write. I’m an enthusiastic writer myself and my number one goal for your learner is to help them become a confident writer. I support my leaners every step of the way in their writing journey. I am currently writing my first kids novel and I bring this expertise into my virtual classroom, as well as examples of specific writing strategies taken from my book. Learning should be fun and students should have voice and choice in what they learn. To this end, when teaching writing I always let students choose what they would like to write about. Then I embed the writing skills we are going to practice into the topic they have chosen. This usually helps to motivate all leaners, but especially learners who don’t enjoy writing yet. I really love giving students opportunities to explore their own interests and through this they discover and develop their unique writer’s voice. Above all I believe that learners should write about what matters to them, because when they do they discover the joy of writing.

I have a Bachelors of Education and a teacher librarian diploma, both from the University of British Columbia. While I was in university, I tutored for several different companies as well as privately tutored learners in Math, Reading and Writing. I have a growing interest in educational technology which is why I am currently completing my masters in it. I have been a K-7 classroom teacher in brick and mortar schools for eleven years and a teacher librarian for two years.

I became a teacher, because I love being part of the "aha" moment a student has when they finally grasp a concept they have been struggling with or when they overcome a fear (think public speaking). I consider it an honour to be part of a student's learning journey and am always thinking about how I can best serve their individual needs and make it fun! 

Here are the classes I teach on Outschool:

Inviting Creative Writing 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade: Crafting A Suspenseful Short Story

Inviting Journal Writing 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade: Adding Details and Writing Mini-Stories for 
Beginners

Inviting FLEX Journal Writing 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade: Writing Mini-Stories

I am currently re-reading the entire Wings of Fire series (I can't stop) and really looking forward to The Flames of Hope (book #15) coming out this April. I love to read as you may have guessed. I also enjoy writing and one day I would like to publish a children's book. I play ultimate frisbee in the summer and I love knitting and baking. I'm looking forward to embarking on an exciting learning journey with you!

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$15

weekly
1x per week
55 min

Completed by 79 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-7 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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