Learning how to craft a piece of creative writing is important -  but sometimes time is short and you want something to scratch that creative itch, or simply want to learn how to run with an idea without focusing on the details too much. 
In this one time class, we play by the 'Don't overthink it- just do it!' rule.
The benefits of a short writing challenge include developing those quick-thinking skills and, more importantly, taking away the pressure of having to produce a perfect piece of work and being able to let creativity have free reign. Once those initial drafts are written, students may even want to develop them afterwards.

How it all works:
A character and a setting will be chosen at random. Other elements will also be chosen (which may be an object, a quote, a time, an animal, the weather, etc). Learners will choose by being given the choice of several folded notes with different colours on them. Whichever colour is chosen, that choice will be read out and everyone will use the same character/ setting/ etc. 

The number of choices depends on how many learners are in that particular class, but there will be at least 3 and enough for every student to get to pick something. 

We'll then have a rapid brainstorm of ways that the choices could be used (eg, does an animal have to be an actual animal in the story, or could it be a stuffed toy animal, a statue, etc?). Just enough to give a helpful nudge and get the ideas flowing!

After that, it's writing time.

Finally, time and number of students allowing, we'll share our ideas and those who wish to may read out their stories. If preferred, learners can share their ideas in the chat feature, upload them to the classroom afterwards or, if they'd rather, send their story to me privately. 
There's no pressure to share at all, though. 

The beauty of our challenge is that no two classes can be the same, so learners can come back another day for a new challenge!