Writing Your Own Children's Story! - Focus on Descriptive Language and Theme!
In this 5 week course, your student will learn/review what makes a children's story, theme, conflict, and the parts of editing a written text. Students will have the opportunity to work with their peers to brainstorm and peer edit.
What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students may need to work on different parts of their children's books if we run out of time during sessions!Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner - Advanced Level
Throughout the course, students will delve into the essential components of children's stories, from creating memorable characters and immersive settings to developing compelling plots filled with excitement and adventure. Through guided discussions, collaborative exercises, and individual writing assignments, students will hone their storytelling skills and unleash their creativity. But this class isn't just about writing stories—it's about bringing them to life. Students will learn the importance of descriptive language and how to use it to paint vivid pictures in the minds of their readers. They'll also discover the power of conflict in driving the narrative forward and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. With the help of peer feedback sessions and guidance from the instructor, students will draft, revise, and polish their stories until they shine. They'll explore the world of self-editing and learn how to refine their writing for clarity and impact. And finally, they'll experience the thrill of seeing their stories come to life as they design and publish their own children's books using Canva. By the end of the course, students will emerge as confident storytellers, equipped with the skills and knowledge to create compelling children's stories that inspire, entertain, and leave a lasting impression. Whether they dream of becoming bestselling authors or simply want to share their stories with the world, this class will empower them to turn their imaginations into reality. We will use Zoom for our classes to give students the ability to collaborate with myself and their peers in breakout rooms! Students will also be in a Google Classroom to make sure all of their work for this class is in one place and I can quickly asscess their work to better assist them in any questions they may have.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
Introductions & What Makes a Children's Story?
Students will be given an introduction to the unit and its objectives after getting to know the others in the group. We will then have a discussion on the characteristics of children's stories. This includes plot, characters, theme, and figurative language.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Looking at Our Favorite Children's Stories & Brainstorming
We will take a look at some popular children's stories and search for the characteristics we talked about in the last session. How could the stories be improved? Students will then begin brainstorming themes and ideas for children's stories.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Story Outline & Discussing Conflict
We will begin writing the base ideas for our story. Students will decide their characters, theme, conflict and plot during this time. We will discuss the different types of conflict that can occur in a story.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
When and How to use Descriptive Language in your Story
Students will learn about descriptive language and how it can improve our writing. The goal of this lesson is to teach students how to provide their reader with a story that they are able to fully imagine in their head! Students will get the opportunity to improve texts and work with peers.
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Reviews
Live Group Class
$26
weekly or $130 for 10 classes2x per week, 5 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
2-12 learners per class