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The Better Writers' Box: AV Teen Voice Project - Creative Writing (14-18) -FLEX

A creative writing course designed to provide writers with inspiration for prose and poetry by creating a writer's box. Students will create and fill their box as they complete a variety of writing exercises.
"Mr. J." (Jeremy Ballard)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(99)
Popular
Class

What's included

Homework
1-2 hours per week. Week 1 Create, build, and begin filling your "writer's box." Find your perfect writing journal and gather your supplies. Week 2 Impromptu writing task 1: one-word abstracts and quotations Week 3 Found Poem Week 4 A picture is worth 100 words Week 5 Trinket writing Week 6 audio-visual prose or poetry project
Assessment
Students will be critiqued and evaluated by the teacher and their peers with each assignment. The course will conclude with a "final draft" project that will combine their writing with a performance video or other physical and visual creation of their choice. This final project will receive in depth evaluation, critique, and assessment by both teacher and peers.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
*This is a 6-week, creative writing FLEX course with no live meetings. Late enrollment is allowed but highly discouraged.  New sessions will be scheduled periodically or by request.  
**This course includes one optional 1:1 session during week 6 for final project consultation. Additional 1:1 sessions may be scheduled at a reduced price.

Writers are always looking for inspiration.  Sometimes we want to write, but don't really know what to write about.  Or sometimes we just face writer's block.  In this course students will learn how to create and use their own writer's box.  Writing is a very personal thing, a combination of our memories and our imagination. A personalized writer's box can be a powerful tool for any writer.

Course design

All instructional videos and assignments shall be posted on Tuesday by 1:00pm PST (20:00GMT).
Students may post their assignments anytime throughout the week, but must post before Monday at 1:00pm PST.
In addition to posting assignments, students are expected to comment on each other's work.

Week 1:
Introducing the writer's box. Students will learn about the writer's box and how to design it. Students will also be asked to begin filling the box with particular items that will be used later in the course. Note that these items are not listed in the supply list, but they are likely readily available and already in your house.  All details will be provided within the first video. 

Weeks 2-5
Each week students will use the contents of their box to complete a creative writing task. These assignments will be posted to the message board. Students will also comment and offer constructive feedback on the work of other students. In addition to the primary writing task, students will also be provided with additional tricks and writing exercises that they can use on their own.

Week 6
This course will conclude with a culminating audio-visual prose or poetry project. Students will use the use the items in their box to inspire their writing. Students will then pair that writing with either an artistic representation or in the form of video performance.  Specific details and instructions will be provided during week 6.  There are infinite possibilities and the only real limits are students' imagination.

Teacher feedback
-I will comment on all work that is posted prior to the deadline, in the order that they are received. Comments may or may not be immediate, so please be patient. Late submissions may be commented on if time allows.
-Students may contact me directly with question or for assistance. I typically respond within 24 hours; however, please note that I  usually schedule Sunday and Monday PST as my off days, and this could cause a delay.
-Office hours are available throughout the course by request for a reduced fee of $10 USD for 20 minutes (scheduling subject to availability). During week six of the course, I will schedule and post office hours from Tuesday-Friday PST. Students are entitled to one free session during those times.
Learning Goals
Students will develop and improve creative writing skills.
Students will learn a variety of writing techniques and exercises to promote their writing of prose and poetry.
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
Students will need a dedicated writing journal, assorted pens and pencils, a box, and some other basic art supplies as they see fit. Specific details and instruction will be provided in the first class video.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2022
4.8
99reviews
Popular
Profile
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 a high school English teacher and speech and debate coach for 15 years, specializing in AP English and writing instruction.  I am also a storyteller, writer, poet, and performer.

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Live Group Class
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$12

weekly or $70 for 6 weeks
6 weeks

Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 14-18

This class is no longer offered
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