Junior Storytellers: Let's Write a Short Story
In this 8-week course, students will unlock their creativity through brainstorming, writing, and sharing their own imaginative tales. By the end of the course, they will have their own short story and the knowledge to write even more!
Sabrina Boone, M.A.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
16 live meetings
10 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will be centered around working on their main project, the short story, such as writing specific scenes between classes.Projects
Throughout this course, students will work on writing their own short story, starting from brainstorming an idea all the way to a final draft. We will check in on progress throughout the course to provide feedback, suggestions, and support.Progress Report
As we progress through the course and writing our short stories, families will get progress reports and feedback on student work.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 5
Beginner Level
In "Junior Storytellers: Let's Write a Short Story," students will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, including character development, plot structure, setting, and dialogue. They will also practice brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing their stories. Topics: ✏️Introduction to Storytelling: Understanding what makes a story captivating. ✏️Brainstorming Ideas: Techniques for coming up with creative story ideas. ✏️Character Development: Creating dynamic and relatable characters. ✏️Plot Structure: Building a beginning, middle, and end. ✏️Setting the Scene: Describing settings to bring stories to life. ✏️Writing Dialogue: Crafting realistic and engaging conversations. ✏️Drafting and Revising: Techniques for writing and improving first drafts. Class structure: ✏️Introduction and Warm-Up (10 minutes): Fun activities to get creative juices flowing. ✏️Lesson and Discussion (20 minutes): Interactive lessons on each storytelling element. ✏️Activity and Practice (20 minutes): Hands-on writing exercises and games. ✏️Sharing and Feedback (10 minutes): Students share their work and receive feedback. My teaching style is engaging and interactive. I use a combination of: ✏️Lectures: Short, dynamic explanations of storytelling concepts. ✏️Games: Fun activities to reinforce learning and encourage creativity. ✏️Slides and Video Clips: Visual aids to illustrate key points and inspire. ✏️Discussion: Encouraging students to share their thoughts and ideas. ✏️Hands-On Activities: Writing exercises to practice new skills. I believe in fostering a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel comfortable expressing their creativity. My style is positive, interactive, and student-centered, ensuring that each child feels involved and excited about storytelling. Learners will have plenty of opportunities to interact with me through: ✏️Lectures and Slides: Interactive with questions and answers. ✏️Writing Activities: Personalized feedback and guidance during practice time. ✏️Discussion: Open floor for students to share their work and ideas, with my input and feedback. This blend of activities ensures that students are constantly engaged and supported throughout the class.
Learning Goals
Students will learn the hallmarks of various short story genres and the aspects of these genres.Students will learn the parts of a short story including plot, conflict, description, exposition, characters, and dialogue.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)16 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
What Makes a Short Story?
Learn about the key elements that turn an idea into an exciting short story. This is an introduction into short stories, so we might dip our toes into creative writing! 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Parts of a Story
Discover the building blocks of a story, including the beginning, middle, and end. Things like plot structure and fun characters are the key to a good story! 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Let's Talk About Genre
Explore different types of stories, like mysteries, adventures, and fairy tales. We will discuss the many different genres of fiction and key parts of each genre. 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Genre (cont.)
Dive deeper into genres and see how they shape the stories we tell. Students will also gain an understanding of what genres they may be interested in writing. 40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is designed to be low-pressure and encourage creativity with a focus on writing. There is no requirement to read or speak out loud and students can use the chat to communicate.
Supply List
Students will need a lined notebook, pencil, and red pen. Additionally, students will need highlighters of different colors OR colored pencils, markers, or crayons.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2024
5.0
2reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in English from University of Denver
I hold a Master's in Writing (Writing Fiction; Creative Writing) as well as a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In addition, I have been teaching writing to students for the past 7 years in both high school and college/university setting, working with students anywhere from learners with special needs to adults trying to teach their own children!
I love making lessons fun and interactive with plenty of discussion and the chance for students to share their ideas.Reviews
Live Group Course
$29
weekly2x per week, 8 weeks
40 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-11
2-6 learners per class
