Writing With Avatar: The Last Airbender: Themes, Plot, and Character Study
In this eight-unit class study the place of themes, character development, and plot building while immersing yourselves in all things Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Tory Anderson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(452)
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will have a short writing assignment for each class. The will write a short scene or essay exploring the topic of the unit: theme, character development, and plot development.Assessment
Students will receive feedback in class on their writing assignments.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a masterpiece of modern storytelling. It’s balance of theme, plot, and character development blend together to form a beautiful, powerful, and extremely watchable story. The class will focus on critical thinking as we discuss the themes, character development, and plot development in the series. Students will complete writing exercises based on the unit discussion. Students should be very familiar with the series to get the most out of the class. Unit 1 -- discussion will delve into the many timeless themes in the Last Airbender, all of which are still applicable today—courage vs fear, love in the face of hate, repentance and forgiveness to name a few. Class members will write a short scene or essay based on the class discussion of theme in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Unit 2 -- we will do a character analysis of Sokka, Katara, Zuko, Aang, Toph, and Iroh and others. Class members will write a short scene or essay based on the class discussion of Character development in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Unit 3 -- discussion will explore the unique plot development of the Last Airbender and how it added to the show’s success. of Your favorite episodes. We will read and discuss the student writing on character development. Class members will write a fan fiction story based on the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, or they can come up with trivia questions for fun in the last class. Unit 4 -- Avatar Last Airbender Trivia Extravaganza Unit 5 -- Written character analysis of Water or Earth bending character Unit 6 -- Written character analysis of Air or Fire bending character Unit 7 -- Avatar Fan fiction writing: Part 1; Guess that character game Unit 8 -- Avatar Fan fiction writing: Part 2; We share our fan fiction with the class Each class will involve lecture and slides detailing the elements of the topic and then teacher guided class discussion with the students. Time is limited, but student discussion is an important part of class.
Learning Goals
Students will grow in appreciation of the quality elements of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Students will develop the mental and verbal tools to become more articulate in discussing why they like the show.
Creative writers will gain insights into using theme, plot, and character development in their craft.
Students will become better writers through the writing exercises.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Unit 1
Discussion on the timeless themes in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Writing exercise: Short scene or essay based on the class discussion of theme. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Unit 2
Character analysis of Sokka, Katara, Zuko, Aang, Toph, and Iroh. Writing exercise: Short scene or essay based on the class discussion of character development. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Unit 3
Discussion on the plot development of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Writing exercise: Fan fiction story or trivia questions based on the show. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Unit 4
Avatar: The Last Airbender Trivia Extravaganza. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Class discussion will include all plot and themes found in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Since different parents have different standards, parents of students should be familiar with Avatar: Last Airbender and be comfortable with its content before enrolling children in the class.
Supply List
Students should bring note taking materials to class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
452reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Receiving a master’s degree in English from BYU with an emphasis in creative writing was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with all things creative: novels, plays, movies, painting, music, dance, origami, cosplay, juggling, computer games, DnD . . . the list goes on.
On the STEM side of life I spent eight years in the United States Air Force as a radar technician. Working with the highly mobile radar of a forward air control post I traveled the world in C-130s, was buzzed by A-10s, and became proficient with various weaponry. Since the third grade I have been a student of the history of military aircraft, especially World War II.
As a published author of many short stories and four young adult novels I’m ready to help students create with the written word. In creative writing I teach the power of the word, the beauty of the sentence, the joy of the completed story. As a university instructor in critical reading/writing, I learned that a good author won’t tell you anything. A good author wants to see what you see after you read his/her book. We will learn how to know what we see and how to talk and write about it.
As a dad I homeschooled all eight of my children to support positive, independent thinking. I kept reading with my children long after they could read for themselves—until they left for college. I advocate reading and writing with classroom presentations and programs. I’ve been mentoring youth writers in the Juab Jotters writing group for several years.
When I’m not teaching you will find me pursuing my own never ending education, playing computer games with my children (great family time), cosplaying (last year it was Mystery Men), and spending time with my children and grandchildren (soon to be six).
Reviews
Live Group Class
$104
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 26 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-10 learners per class
