Step by Step Writing Skills - #2 Draw a Picture With Words

As a 20-year teaching veteran, I understand the writing continuum deeply.  Instead of approaching writing as just one skill, my approach is to look at writing as a set of skills. I believe that by building up a learner's "bucket of skills" step by step they will be able to improve their writing. My overall goal is to help learners 
**see themselves as confident writers
**have a bucket full of skills to use
**prepare for a lifetime of writing across disciplines 

In this one-time class, I will help learners draw a picture with their words. I will show how to use figurative language, personification, and imagery to enhance writing. We will learn how these tools help our readers develop a mental image. We will also learn how to "show" and not just "tell." 
Telling - I felt scared.
Showing - Knees shaking and hands sweaty, my feet simply refused to walk through the door.

I will format the class with a combination of lecture-style explanation, interactive group practice, and individual practice... 
5 min - lecture-style introduction/explanation of new concept
10 min- interactive group practice
10 min- individual practice - show what you know
5 min - share

This class is ideal for upper elementary and middle school students.

As a result of this class, students will be able to use figurative language, personification, or imagery to enhance their writing. Students will walk away from this class with a new set of skills to add to their "bucket of writing tools." Learners are welcome to send me any writing that they complete as a result of this class. 

As Anton Chekhov says, “Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”