FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE TBD: The summer section is now complete. Please feel free to message me with scheduling requests!

This writing class is focused on Creative Writing, but structured like an enrichment club. I'll reveal a mini prompt of 1-2 sentences either weekly or bi-weekly, inspiring the students' short piece they will write in class. Some weeks we will work on the prompt from the previous week, in order to complete the lesson and finish the piece. 

Along with a mini prompt, the students will be introduced to high school-level and AP English Language Arts and Composition-level concepts each week, so they can prepare to write stronger pieces or get ready for college-level composition classes. For younger students (~13-15), I can adapt their curriculum and concepts to meet their needs and challenge them for the future. In this class, we cover fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. 

Introduced and discussed concepts in a given week may include: 

-Crafting One's Own Rhetorical Situation
-Making Claims and Providing Evidence 
-Responding to "Opposing Arguments" 
-Writing for a Specific Audience 
-Developing Paragraphs With Claims and Evidence 
-Writing Thesis Statements 
-Developing Lines of Reasoning 
-Using Transitional Elements 
-Experimenting With Word Choice and Syntax
-Creating Comparisons in Text 

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*What Can I Expect From the Teacher?*

I'm a certified Creative Writing Instructor from the University of Central Florida and concentrated in Creative Writing during my English BA at UCF.  I strive to make this class artistic and fun, "by writers, for writers." 

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*What Are Some Examples of Prompts in This Class?* 

"Write from the point of view of a character who vows to be silent." 
"A carrier pigeon brings you a note. What does it say?"
"Your parent is in a rock band. How does their first year go?" 
"You're watching a friend's house. What type of strange pet do you discover there, and what happens?" 

All prompts are designed to spark the imagination and give plenty to write about in our 20-25 minutes of allotted time. These prompts can also help to create longer future pieces. 

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*How Are Classes Structured?* 

Class is 55 minutes total, time is approximate:
-3-5 minutes of introduction
-10-15 minutes of prompt and skills discussion
-20-25 minutes of creative writing 
-15 minutes of sharing and feedback
-Wrap up

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*How Will You Teach?* 

This class is meant to be artistic, friendly, and social. I'll take cues from the class to ensure we have the right amount of discussion and writing for the class "personality." I will lead them through the prompt and college-level skills discussion, then I'll give them time to write their piece. I can play classical, instrumental, or nature music in the classroom during this time, but in my experience, most students bring their own headphones or choose a silent space. Then, I will open the floor so students can share and provide feedback. I will monitor and be part of the discussion, adding feedback where appropriate. I will also provide "assessment-style" feedback on *at least* one of your student's pieces. 

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*Will My Student Get Feedback, Grades, or Homework?*

There is no homework, but students may be asked to upload their piece from class to our portal for feedback. They will need to go back into the message portal to receive feedback from me. 

This is designed as a week-to-week enrichment club, so students can attend for one week or they can attend for the entire summer. For this reason, students are entitled to personalized writing feedback for each week they are enrolled in the class. 

If you are enrolled for multiple weeks (e.g., 8 weeks), you can opt to receive teacher feedback each week. You can also opt for less feedback, so the class still feels fun and creative and we don't overwhelm the student. For example, you could opt for 3-4 pieces of feedback for 8 weeks total. I will gauge the interest of each parent to create a plan that works for you. 

In these assessments, I will not provide a grade. Rather, I offer customized and thoughtful written feedback and suggestions for future writing. The student will submit the piece to me through a private message, I will evaluate it, then send it back to them. 

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*What's Your Teaching Style?* 

Collaborative, positive, and hands-on. My goal is to inspire creativity, provide practical knowledge, boost the student's confidence, and teach them something they've never learned before, all by providing an engaging experience that lets them take charge of their learning. While their goal is to have fun and boost their creative writing prowess, my goal is to also give them skills they can use for future writing or college prep. 

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*How Will Learners Interact?* 

They'll have open discussion with me and the other students throughout the class, in a club/workshop-like environment. There will be lecture, discussion, and personal writing time. 

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*Weekly Topic Schedule for Summer 2024* 
*The Summer 2024 Session Is Complete - Stay Tuned for Fall/Winter Dates*

COMPLETED: Week 1 - 6/23
Prompt Theme: Unexpected Surprises (Full Prompt Revealed in Class)
Learning Objectives: Use Words Strategically to Reveal a Situation or Storyline 

COMPLETED: Week 2 - 6/30 
Prompt Theme: Continuing Unexpected Surprises 
Learning Objectives: Use Words Strategically to Reveal a Situation or Storyline 

COMPLETED: Week 3 - 7/7
Prompt Theme: Brand New Trends (Full Prompt Revealed in Class)
Learning Objectives: Making Comparisons in a Creative Writing Piece 

COMPLETED - Week 4 -7/14
Prompt Theme: Continuing Brand New Trends (Full Prompt Revealed in Class)
Learning Objectives: Making Comparisons in a Creative Writing Piece 

COMPLETED - Week 5 - 7/21 
Prompt Theme: Going Back in Time (Full Prompt Revealed in Class)
Learning Objectives: Using Transitions to Craft a Creative Piece 

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*What Else Should I Know About This Club?* 

Students should be familiar with and enjoy creative writing and writing prompts. They should be familiar with a feedback/sharing process and be willing to sit in a collaborative, workshop environment. They should be willing to write in-class and should have the desire to boost their creative writing skills.