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Summer Camp: Write a Chapter Book or Book of Stories With a Published Novelist
Kim Purcell MFA
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(158)
Popular
In this fun, interactive camp, students will write a story or chapter every day and improve their writing fast. In the end, I will even help them self-publish their books on Lulu.com or Amazon.com.
Class Experience
US Grade 2 - 5
Intermediate Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Summer is the perfect time to write a chapter book or a series of short stories! It's so much fun and you'll be amazed at how much your child's writing improves when they tap into their imagination. This is suitable for any kids, from avid writers to ESL learners and struggling writers…it is designed so that they’ll all have fun. I have easy skills and harder skills. **Make sure you look for a message from me with things to expect in the camp and to help them brainstorm a story idea and...
4 lessons//1 Week
Week 1Lesson 1Plot and What Every Chapter or Story NeedsStory Focus: What is your plot? What does every story or chapter need? A hook, interesting characters, a strange/scary setting, a goal, and a problem! Language focus - Details, use of colors and light, voice and personality Grammar focus - POV, capitals and periods, paragraphs and quotation marks.Lesson 2Descriptions, Voice, and PersonalityStory Focus: How do you describe the setting and characters in an interesting, scary, or funny way? Writing focus - Describe, using all the senses, learn to use metaphors and similes, dialogue Grammar focus - Use correct punctuation for dialogue.Lesson 3Adventure, Suspense, Excitement, Goals and ProblemsStory Focus: How do you build a scene so that it's full of tension and excitement? How do you balance thoughts, reactions, dialogue, and actions to pull in a reader? Writing focus - Use specific nouns and listing, use strong verbs, start each sentence in a new way. Grammar focus - Indenting paragraphs, verb tense (present/past)Lesson 4Twists, Turns, Reveals, Beautiful LanguageStory Focus: How do you add in surprises and twists? How do you give information? How do you shock the reader? Writing focus - Beautiful Language - Alliteration, Repetition, Onomatopoeia Grammar focus - Use correct punctuation for dialogue.
- Students will learn everything they need to know to write a novel. This is listed in detail above, but we will cover all areas of craft, including character, setting, plot, tension, dialogue, and literary devices. This will not only help them with their fiction, but also every area of writing.
I have over twenty years of experience teaching in a multi-sensory, interactive and joyful way. I'm a novelist with two acclaimed young adult novels published by Penguin and Disney-Hyperion. They both made top national lists, including Columbia's Bank Street Books and NPR's Top Books, as well as many state lists. As a novelist, I've done school visits at high schools across the US and Canada. Penguin is also publishing my writer's guide: The Busy Writer's Guide to Finishing a Novel in 100 Days. It comes out in 2026. Besides my experience as a novelist and author, I have twenty years of teaching experience, teaching both creative writing and ESL. I currently run a successful afterschool writing program in the LA area. I was the curriculum director of the famous nonprofit, WriteGirl LA, helping to design their multi-sensory way of teaching writing to teens. Besides teaching on Outschool, I have private groups of homeschooled teens I teach, many of them for several years. My goal is to help my students feel more joyful through writing, to recognize the power of their unique voice and to build their creative confidence.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: Available upon requestFeedback: Available upon requestDetails: I will encourage them to complete one scene a day.Assessment
Frequency: Available upon requestDetails: I will read their writing each day they send it to me. I will tell them what I love, and give them suggestions to help them improve.
This class is designed to be low-pressure and fun, suitable for ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and ESL. There is no requirement to read out loud or even speak out loud. Students can use the chat to communicate. They do a lot of writing.
Students will need a notebook, a pen, markers and a computer for writing. I will be giving them a guide for brainstorming before the class, as well as a daily guide for each session to give them ideas for what to work on when they sit down to write outside of the camp.
I will be using examples from children’s books.
Joined January, 2022
5.0
158reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts
Master's Degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts
I love helping my students improve their writing and seeing their confidence grow. My classes are fun and inclusive. I have over twenty years of experience teaching in a multi-sensory and interactive way: English, literature, fiction,...
Group Class
$80
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
55 min
Completed by 258 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-10
6-12 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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