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$13

weekly
or $65 for all content
Class

Social Skills & Short Story Writing and Reading Comprehension & Creative Writing

Ages 11-14
Self-Paced Class
This class uses the short story "Super Lost" (810-1000 Lexile level) to develop reading comprehension and social-emotional learning skills. Learners will be engaged with the story and be excited to write their own!
New on Outschool

6 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content

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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.
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What's included

6 pre-recorded lessons
5 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Mastery Evaluation
1-2 hours per week. Each of the 5 short story passages have 8 multiple choice and two short answer questions (with answer key). In addition to this reading comprehension assessment, students are provided guided writing activities to help them develop their own short story.
Grading
If you would like a letter grade I am happy to provide it. Just let me know.

Class Experience

Middle School Short Story Writing: A Self-Paced Journey  

Unlock your creativity and become a storyteller in this engaging, self-paced short story writing course designed for middle school students! Whether you're an emerging writer or a neurodivergent learner who thrives in flexible environments, this class provides the structure and support you need to develop your own original short story.  

This course is divided into five sections, each guiding students step by step through the writing process. Multiple video recordings accompany each section, providing clear explanations and examples to help students build confidence in their writing skills. Students will also analyze a model short story, answering reading comprehension questions to deepen their understanding of narrative techniques.  

Aligned with key English Language Arts (ELA) standards, this course helps students:  
- Develop a strong narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.3).  
- Use descriptive details and dialogue to bring characters and settings to life (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.3.B).  
- Revise and edit their writing for clarity and coherence (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.5).  
- Strengthen reading comprehension by analyzing a mentor text (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.1-3).  

Students have the freedom to complete assignments at their own pace, making this an ideal course for independent learners who enjoy working without pressure. By the end of the course, each student will have a solid short story draft that showcases their unique voice and creativity.  

Join me, Ms. Cartier, on this exciting writing adventure and take the first step to becoming a great storyteller!

Learning Goals

Remember 
– Students will identify key elements of a short story (e.g., plot, character, setting, theme) by analyzing a model short story.
Understand 
– Students will learn how authors use literary techniques such as dialogue, sensory details, and pacing to develop engaging narratives.

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
6 Lessons
over 5 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Overview
 There are five sections to this course. Each section includes  one passage from the short story, 10 reading comprehension questions (these incorporate social-emotional skill-building), answer key, and detailed worksheets for students to practice that lesson. There are completed worksheets that use the provided short story as an example to help guide students. The goal is to build a stronger understanding of story structure as well as drafting your own short story. 
Lesson 2:
Passage 1 - Setting & Inciting Incident
 In this lesson, students will read Passage #1 of Super Lost and complete 10 reading comprehension questions to deepen their understanding of the text. Using a guiding worksheet, students will draft their own inciting incident and setting, laying the foundation for their own creative story. 
Lesson 3:
Passage 2 - Rising Action
 In this lesson, students will read Passage #2 of Super Lost and complete 10 reading comprehension questions to enhance their understanding. Using a guiding worksheet, students will draft their own rising action, building tension and developing their story further. 
Lesson 4:
Passage 3 - Climax
 In this lesson, students will read Passage #3 of Super Lost and complete 10 reading comprehension questions to enhance their understanding. Using a guiding worksheet, students will draft their own climax. 

Other Details

Supply List
Teacher will provide all learning materials (short story, worksheets...)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Meet the teacher

Joined February, 2025
New on Outschool
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Psychology from Liberty University
Master's Degree in English Language and Literature from Western Governors University
Bachelor's Degree in English from San Francisco State University
Not only am I a credentialed English teacher, I have taught creative writing many times and have a clear understanding of how to help students. 

My education includes a BA in Creative Writing from SFSU, an MA in Teaching, and an MA in Adolescent Developmental Counseling.

I began my teaching career by homeschooling my daughter when she was younger. We used a public charter school that opened my eyes to the myriad of possibilities surrounding education and meeting the needs of children, especially neurodivergent ones such as my daughter. I fell in love with that rewarding feeling, so I began a tutoring company. From that success I decided to earn my teaching credentials. After working in classrooms of students, I decided I missed the 1-on-1, more private teaching settings that I had when I was tutoring. So I joined Outschool.

I am a self-published children's book author, I have been an Editor-in-Chief for a literary magazine, have had my poetry published, and am an experienced curriculum developer in addition to being a credentialed teacher and certified wellness coach. When your child learns with me, they are learning from a sincerely devoted teacher invested in their academic and emotional education.   

Reviews

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