Writing Short Stories Summer Camp Challenge
Join us for a "Summer Story Writing Badge Challenge!"
After kids post their weekly story, they receive a badge. The challenge runs from June 2 to Aug 21. Jump in for any week. Kids don't need to be in the class all summer to get badges.
Lisa Rohloff
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(359)
What's included
3 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1-2 hours per week. I will send kids feedback on their stories that tells them what they did well and how they can improve. Feedback includes grammar, spelling, and whether their story has the characteristics of the specific type of fiction.Assessment
When kids finish the class, I will send a detailed assessment of how well they did in the class.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
New this year: "Summer Story Writing Badge Challenge!" When kids complete their weekly story, they receive a badge. The challenge runs from June 2 through August 21. Kids can join on any given week to earn badges. They do not need to be in the class for all the weeks of the challenge. They will still earn badges for any weeks they are in the class and turn in a story they have written. How the Summer Story Writing Badge Challenge Works: Each week, I will give kids all the materials and instructions they need to write a different kind of story. They will have 7 days to complete and post their story in Outschool. I will send feedback within one week of the due date for the assignment. When I send their feedback, I'll also send them a badge to add to their "Summer Story Writing Badge Challenge Sheet" which I will provide. Each week's plan will be something similar to this: Day 1: Kids will learn about the genre by reading examples, identifying popular stories and authors, and examining the characteristics. They will begin to plan their own story using a planner or graphic organizer. Day 2: Students will plot the events of their story using a graphic organizer and share their ideas with the class. Their homework will be to write a rough draft of their story. Day 3: Kids will have an opportunity to read their story to the class. After this we will create an editing checklist together. Kids can use this editing checklist to revise and rewrite the final copy of their story. Stories will be due on Sunday. I will send feedback to the kids after they turn in their story. My feedback includes what they have done well and areas where they can improve. Some things I look for are grammar, spelling, good sentence and paragraph structure, and writing the story according to the characteristics for that type of fiction. Here is a schedule of the types of stories kids will write each week: Week of June 2, 2025: Writing a Short Story Plotted on Freytag's Pyramid This week kids will learn the basics of writing a short story. They will plot a story on Freytag's Pyramid, read an example story, and learn about some different kinds of plots. They will also learn why it is important to plot a story before writing it. Week of June 9: Fantasy Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of fantasy fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write a story. Key terms and concepts: supernatural powers, magic, other worlds, unrealistic characters and events Week of June 16: Realistic Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of realistic fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: realistic characters, settings, and events Week of June 23: Mystery Students will learn about the characteristics of mysteries, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: Clues, culprit, red herring, investigation, detective, keep the reader guessing until the end, hunch, motives, breakthrough, suspects Week of June 30: High (Epic) Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of high fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: epic (larger than life) hero, big scope, 12 steps in a hero's journey Week of July 7: Historical Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of historical fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: Can have a mixture of real and made up characters and settings. Some part of the story is based on a real historical event. Characters and time periods are believable for the time. Should take place 50 years ago or longer. Week of July 14: Superhero Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of superhero fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: main character has a costume and fights crime, supernatural powers, backstory of superhero, main character doesn't die. Week of July 21: Folklore Students will learn about the characteristics of folklore, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: fairy tales, legends, urban/contemporary legends, tall tales, and oral tradition. Week of July 28: Science Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of science fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: science, technology, time travel, spaceships, revolves around a “What if” question Week of August 4: Low Fiction Students will learn about the characteristics of low fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: personified animals or toys, supernatural events, magical powers Week of August 11: Sword and Sorcery Students will learn about the characteristics of sword and sorcery fiction, talk about examples of this genre, plan, and write their story. Key terms and concepts: character has personal goals, magic, battles, hero often has a sword or some sort of special weapon. Week of August 18: Student's Choice This week kids can write any kind of story (fiction or non-fiction) that they choose.
Learning Goals
Students will become better writers as they enjoy writing different kinds of fictional short stories. They will:
- Improve grammar and spelling.
- Learn about different kinds of fiction including characteristics and examples.
- Have opportunities to share their writing with their peers.
- Gain confidence in their writing abilities.
- Learn to write good sentences and paragraphs.
- Learn the structure of a story including elements of a plot.
- Learn to use dialogue, monologue and character's body language to show what a character is thinking and feeling.
- Be able to identify different kinds of fiction.
- Express their creativity.
- Learn how to create an editing checklist.
- Learn about the writing process which includes planning, writing a draft, revising, editing, proofreading, and Stuwriting a final copy.
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class supports learners with unique learning needs. I give personalized feedback.
Parental Guidance
I choose age-appropriate story examples to refer to in class. I also talk with students about making sure the stories they write would have a G or PG rating if they were made into a movie.
Students may handwrite their stories. However, if they choose to type them, they can use either Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Pre-Requisites
Kids should be able to read and write in English at a 5th grade level to be successful.
Supply List
Note: Students do not have to have Word or Google Docs to do this class. Their stories can also be handwritten. If they are typing, the story can be typed in either Word or Google Docs - you do not need both. Students will need pencil or pen for graphic organizers and planners that are printed out. Students can edit the worksheets electronically if they would rather not print them out. They can also open them on their screen and write the answers on a separate page. Since they will write a story each week, they will need the tools necessary to either handwrite or type.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
I provide all materials kids need. Before the week starts, I will post materials in the classroom. This usually consists of a planner and/or a graphic organizer. Other than that, students will need paper and pencil/pen or something used for typing such as Word, Google Docs, or some other tool. Stories can be handwritten or typed.
Joined April, 2020
4.8
359reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout
Bachelor's Degree from Ashford University
I love working with kids! I have 15 years of teaching experience, and I have taught in both traditional school settings and as a homeschool parent. I am passionate about helping kids at all levels of their reading and writing journey. It's so exciting when I see a student gain confidence as a reader/writer or when I can help a young aspiring writer achieve their dreams.
My writing experience includes writing copy for marketing materials, ghost writing for corporate executives, technical writing, writing newspaper articles, and writing instructions for digital technology applications. Managing a corporate internal newsletter was one of my favorite projects. I created the newsletter design, interviewed and wrote articles about team members, and managed the editing and submission process for all the contributors. As a hobby, I love to write short stories, poetry, and songs. I can't imagine my life without writing.
My education includes a BA in Communications and a Master of Science in Technical and Professional Communication (MSTPC). Because I have completed 2 years of my BA and all of my MS classes online, I am skilled with the various aspects of online learning. I love using what I have learned to help kids become better at reading and writing.Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
weekly ($10 per class)3x per week
30 min
Completed by 37 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-9 learners per class
