This ongoing social class fosters connection and creative thinking. We share stories from our lives found in various formats (audio, TV, movie, podcasts, dinner table, etc.) before playing a  game that encourages creative thinking, storytelling, and/or collaboration. Usually, the games get pretty silly and loud. 

New students should know we're a lively group. We're casual with each other, make jokes, and sometimes talk over each other, even when we try really, really hard not to. We have a lot to say. ;0 

We're also an inclusive and friendly group. Several participants have been in this group since the class began two years ago and welcome newcomers as one of the gang. 

Note: This class often/always runs over the allotted time. Students are welcome to leave whenever. I encourage but do not require participants' videos to remain on. 

This class requires verbal participation, willingness to work with a partner in a breakout room sometimes, an ability to draw basic stick figure shapes, and basic English speaking, reading, and writing skills. 

Example of Story Games: 
-Story Role Play 
-Group Story Building
-Roll a Story 
-Two Truths & a Lie 
-Scattagories 
-Pictionary 

What will be practiced: 
Social skills 
Collaboration
Creative thinking
Public speaking 
English Language conversation 

Class structure: 
We meet once a week for 50 minutes. This class often goes over the allotted time. 

-Check-in/Share: Participants share their favorite story of the week as they enter the meeting. Their story might be something that happened in their life or a story from a book, audiobook, TV show, movie, podcast, dinner table conversation, etc.  

-Warm-up Questions: Questions encourage storytelling, life shares, opinions, and group conversation.  

-Story Game: May or may not include working with a partner and basic English writing skills 

-Check-out/Share: Depending on time, this might include a question or opportunity to share something such as a Lego build, magic trick, anecdotes, etc.