Write Your Own "Choose Your Destiny" Story Online

Have trouble getting your student interested in writing? Writing can be overwhelming--but this class makes it almost not seem like writing at all! Students will be given templates to brainstorm their setting, characters, and action; to write their stories; and then to turn it into a Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation. The use of the Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation allows students to add pictures, captions, and animations that turn the writing process into a creative arts/technology project at the same time! Even better--students can then share their work with family and friends, who can play the game that the students have written!

I have taught this lesson to students at a variety of grade levels in real life, and can attest to how it almost always engages even the most reluctant writers, who say it doesn't even feel like "real writing" (even though it totally is. Shh. I won't tell if you won't.)

There are NO live sessions for this class. The teacher will post videos each week for how to complete the project and students can complete the different sections of the project each week at their own pace, posting their current work in the Outschool classroom for teacher feedback. The instructor will check in to the Outschool classroom at least once a day to provide feedback on a quick turnaround. Students will post and brainstorm with one another.

NOTE 2: The session is meant to be done in 4 weeks, and materials will be posted weekly, but there class will stay open for an couple of weeks after in case a student needs a little extra time to complete the work.

Week 1: Brainstorming the setting, characters, and action (students will be given several potential ideas or can use one of their own). If students use one of the instructors' ideas, then they will also be supplied with articles and other (easy to read) research to help them plan. During this phrase, the instructor will provide feedback on initial ideas.

Week 2: Outlining the story and various options. Students will be given a template to fill out that makes it SUPER easy to determine the various branches of the story. During this week, the instructor will provide feedback on the more fleshed out ideas.

Week 3: Transferring the writing from the template to Google Slides or PowerPoint. While it will be helpful for students to have used Google Slides or PowerPoint previously, it will not be necessary. Because we are using a template, students will be able to concentrate more on their story than trying to manipulate the program. During this phase, the instructor will provide both feedback on editing (i.e., proofreading) and revising (i.e., adding more details, writing more clearly, etc.)

Week 4: Finessing the project. Students will add pictures, animations, or transitions to their Slides or PowerPoint. During this phase, the instructor will provide feedback on the overall creativity, visual appeal, and writing for the story.

As an option, students/parents may elect to have the story graded using a rubric in addition to the written feedback. NOTE: This is not recommended for reluctant writers, who might feel pressured by being graded. In my experience, students tend to love writing more when they are doing it for the creative challenge than for a grade.