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So You Want to Write...a Mystery

Whether spooky or just plain strange, learn how to grip your reader with suspense and add an air of curiosity and bafflement as we plan and create a mystery story in this one time class.
Tracy Lambert
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(235)
Star Educator
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours
Homework
Homework is not set for this class but students may wish to begin or continue their stories after class and may share via the class page if they like.
Assessment
Informal assessment within class.

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 5
In this one time class, learners will investigate the elements that make up a mystery story and how to:
plan out a story around a mysterious event
introduce a complication or problem
explore how the problem creates conflict and/ or a puzzle for the characters
make the puzzle or conflict create tension and suspense
provide a solution and tie the story together at the end.

Learners will explore how to use descriptive writing effectively, as well as technical aspects such as punctuation, sentence length and pacing to build suspense. We will use slides showing examples of writing and by a quick-fire game of 'Mystify Me' where learners will decide on the best adjective to make a sentence more mysterious.
Students will move on to begin their own mystery writing time. They may choose to create the story plan and character bank to write their story after class or may decide to start on their story. 
There will be a time of sharing their ideas and reading aloud what they have planned written if they like (there is no pressure to do so). Students may share some of their writing via chat if they prefer and will be invited to upload their stories after class to the class page if they would like to do so.
Learning Goals
Students will gain understanding of the elements of a mystery story and begin to use them effectively. Students will be able to plan out their story and have a deeper understanding of conflict, consequence, enigma and resolution within a plot.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Not applicable to this class.
Supply List
A notebook and something to write with.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2020
4.9
235reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Writing is my passion and as well as majoring in English at university, I've almost 20 years experience in teaching English in primary schools (4-11-year-olds) and also as a Home Educator. Over those years I have regularly worked with groups of children specifically on English writing skills. 

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
Share

$13

per class
Meets once
55 min

Completed by 27 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-11
1-6 learners per class

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