What's included
Homework
1 hour per week. Each week students will be given a new writing challenge. Weekly challenges all follow the same format, but will use a different prompt category. Prompts will be posted to the message board as either a video or slide show. There are 6-8 components to each writing task. The writing task will begin by giving students 3 writing prompts from the designated category. Students will choose one prompt to include in their writing and use as the starter. Students should write freely for 3-5 minutes for each stage, then advance to the next stage. Each stage will give students 3 more prompts to choose from, one of which must be incorporated into their writing. Students may write in prose or poetry. Students will post their writing to the message board before Monday at 1:00pm PST. Students will read other students' post and comment on at least three per week. Week 1: Random words and phrases Week 2: Quotations (from movies, television, and books) Week 3: Photos and pictures Week 4: Potpourri-a mix of all three categoriesClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
*This is a repeating flex-course with no live meetings. Students may enroll at any time. New sections will begin on the first Tuesday of every month. Writing prompts will change with every section; however, the structure and format shall remain the same. Students may reenroll in the class, as specific prompts will not repeat. As a writer, sometimes you need a little help figuring out just what to write about. This class will provide students with a fun, and often challenging, writing activity. As students write, every 3-5 minutes they will be given three things to choose from and must select one that will be included in their writing. Students have no idea what the choices will be, and figuring out how to incorporate is both the challenge and the fun. For example, students may have to include one of the following: "a pineapple," "a broken pair of glasses," or "the smell of purple." Students may incorporate the prompt in any way that they like, but they must incorporate at least one. In a traditional classroom environment, I would allow students 3-5 minutes for each stage before giving them their next prompt. Because this is a FLEX course, students will need to time themselves. This can easily be done by pausing the video, then setting a timer. When the timer goes off, students should play the video to receive the next prompt then pause again. As a four-week class, topical categories will follow a set schedule: Week 1: Random words and phrases, Week 2: Quotations (from movies, television, and books), Week 3: Photos and pictures, Week 4: Potpourri-a mix of all three categories. All writing tasks, videos, slideshows, and instructions will be posted on Tuesday by 1:00pm PST (20:00GMT). Students are to post their writing to the message board no later than Monday 1:00pm PST. In addition, students are expected to comment on three other student's writing per week.
Learning Goals
Students will improve creative writing and critical thinking skills.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of California Santa Barbara
I have been teaching high school English and coaching speech and debate for over 15 years. As a teacher, I specialize in writing instruction. I am also a writer myself.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$9
weekly or $36 for 4 weeks4 weeks
Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 12-16
This class is no longer offered
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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