Telling a Story Club (ages 8-11)

This is a class where writers and creators can get together to discuss their works and ask questions. Each week will focus on a specific topic of storytelling. I'll give a short talk on our specified topic at the beginning of class. We'll do a writing exercise, which might be answering a writing prompt, freewriting, or doing a small project together. Then students can discuss the storytelling topic or their current projects as relate to that topic. For example, in the week on setting, we'll talk about how setting affects character and plot. Students can talk about the settings of their stories and any questions they might have. If time allows, we can have a general question and answer session at the end of class.

Topics will follow a 4 month rotation. Students are welcome to join for whichever classes they are interested in (detailed list below). Students will not need to have completed any previous classes to enjoy a “Telling a Story” class. Basic understanding of what a story is will be helpful, but again, not necessary. Every class period is designed to stand on its own.

Classes are divided into themes: Populating a Story (characters), Locating a Story (setting), Writing a Story (the words used to tell a story), Structuring a Story (plot, etc.), and Finishing a Story (revision/editing). Each month will contain one topic from Populating a Story, one from Structuring a Story, one from Finishing a Story, and one from either Locating a Story or Writing a Story, generally on the same week of the month (for example, Structuring a Story may always be the third week).

The Finishing a Story theme will also include a general question and answer session if your learner has any questions about creative writing.

Sept 4-10: Writing a Story: Description
Sept 11-17: Structuring a Story: Scene (Showing and Telling)
Sept 18-24: Finishing a Story: Publishing/Teacher Q&A
Sept 25-Oct 1: Populating a Story: Creating Dynamic Characters

Oct 2-8: Locating a Story: Setting
Oct 9-15: Structuring a Story: Beginnings, Middles, and Endings
Oct 16-22: Finishing a Story: Revision/Teacher Q&A
Oct 23-29: Populating a Story: Protagonist & Antagonist

Oct 30-Nov 5: Writing a Story: Dialogue
Nov 6-12: Structuring a Story: Conflict
Nov 13-19: Finishing a Story: Editing/Teacher Q&A

Nov 20-26: NO CLASS

Nov 27-Dec 3:Populating a Story: Friends and Foils
Dec 4-10: Locating a Story: World-building
Dec 11-17: Structuring a Story: Plot
Dec 18-21: Finishing a Story: Writing Groups/Teacher Q&A

Dec 22-Jan 1: NO CLASS