In this class, students will develop a storytelling skill such as setting, plot structure, character, dialogue and description.  They will also learn skills such as brainstorming, revising and editing. Finally, they will get to share their completed work. The teacher will either read a story to the students and highlight the skill the author used.  Then the teacher will demonstrate how to incorporate the skill by writing or adding to a story she's creating.  Finally, students will implement the skill. Students will have in-class feedback.  

THE SCHEDULE:

Week 1: Introduction/Expectations/Ice Breakers/What is a Story?
Students get to know each other and then learn what a story is. 

Week 2: Brainstorming Activities
Students do a few activities to discover their story.

Week 3: What is Plot?
Students learn about very basic plot structure and draft that story with those elements (beginning, problem, solution)

Week 4: What is a Character?
Students learn about different types of characters and think about their character

Week 5: Dialogue
Students learn how dialogue tells you about the character and incorporate dialogue into their story.  (This could be as little as one sentence or as much as the student likes.)

Week 6: Setting: Where and When?
Students learn about setting and incorporate setting into the story.

Week 7:  Description
Students will tap into their senses and add description to their story. 

Week 8: Revising
Students will have been adding to the story throughout the class and this is the time for students to put all of these skils together and make a second draft to make sure it all makes sense.

Week 9: Editing
Students will go through their writing and fix any spelling and grammar errors (Worrying about spelling, grammar and punctuation while drafting inhibits the process, but at this point in the class, it's time for students to consider those elements)

Week 10: Sharing the Story
Students will learn how to give positive feedback, then students will share and classmates will comment positively on the work. The teacher will model giving feedback but give complete feedback privately.