250

for 5 classes

Spooky Story Creative Writing Camp: 5 Essential Tools With Academic Rules

Completed by 12 learners

Ages 9-13

Live Group Course

A 5-day camp to build strong writing skills through this academic approach to story creation! Learn five essential tools while crafting spooky tales. Activities reinforce proper writing techniques. Daily stickers reward progress!

April Hutcheson Creations (Ms. April)

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(129 reviews)

Live video meetings

5x per week, 1 week

1-6 learners per class

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What’s included

5 live meetings

5 in-class hours

Homework

1 hour per week. Only homework is the escape room puzzle each day IF we don't get to do it or finish it in class.

Certificate of Completion

Assessment is just me asking students questions and interacting with them to see if they understand the content, and helping them to follow direction.

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 7

Welcome to this writing adventure! In this 5-day camp, students will learn five essential writing tools while crafting their own spooky story. This camp combines proper writing techniques with engaging activities, helping students develop strong narrative skills aligned with grade-level writing standards. Through structured lessons and guided practice, students learn description, mood, setting, character development, and plot structure. Daily stickers reward progress as students build their stories using proven writing techniques.


COURSE OVERVIEW:

• Story Writing Tools & Techniques
• Creative Elements with Academic Focus
• Writing Skills Development
• Story Structure

WRITING TOOLS AND STORY ELEMENTS:

• Description and Word Choice Skills
• Setting Development
• Character Creation
• Plot Structure
• Story Organization

ACADEMIC ELEMENTS:

• Adjectives and Synonyms to Improve Description and Vocabulary
• Proper Punctuation Usage
• Sentence Structure and Variety
• Paragraph Organization and Flow
• Writing Mechanics

CLASS RESOURCES & SUPPORT:

• Story-Starter Kit: Complete worksheet packet with everything needed for story development
• Writing Activities and Guidelines
• Progress Stickers (Digital sticker sheet sent upon class completion)
• Individual Guidance
• Story-Related Puzzles

TEACHING STYLE & CLASS STRUCTURE:

• Interactive Sessions: Work with classmates and teacher - no boring lectures!
• Introduction to Google Docs: Learn basic document creation and sharing
• Guided Writing Time: Practice new techniques with teacher support
• Friendly Environment: Feel comfortable asking questions and learning from mistakes
• Group Learning: Share ideas and learn from each other in a supportive space

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently pursuing Master's Degree in Educational Technology and Instructional Design - bringing the latest teaching innovations to writing instruction
• Bachelor's Degree
• Published writer: Newspaper article and children's book in progress
• Proven Results: Three years of successful tutoring on Outschool
• Teaching Excellence: 13 years of experience in both traditional and online settings
• Professional Development: ESL certified, former BookNook instructor

IMPORTANT CLASS POLICIES:

• Cameras on required for interactive learning
• Class videos are not shared with students/parents
• Class materials are for enrolled student use only - no sharing
• Message if arriving more than 10 minutes late, or class may end
• No rescheduling or refunds after class begins

Learning Goals

W.4-6.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using:

Effective technique
Descriptive details
Clear event sequences

W.4-6.3a: Establish a situation, introduce characters, and organize an event sequence

Syllabus

Standards

Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

5 Lessons

over 1 Week

Lesson 1:

Day 1: Tools 1-2: Description and Atmosphere (mood)

 We discuss expectations and review each student's "Story-Starter Kit." Tool 1 is Description, where students explore word choice, synonyms, and adjectives, and their purpose. Students describe their favorite snack using all five senses. 
Tool 2 is Mood/Atmosphere. Students learn how word choices affect the mood and what the reader feels. They create descriptive sentences for their story. Unfinished work is to be completed before the next class. Earn stickers for completed work.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Day 2: Tool 3-Setting

 Students learn how description and mood tie into setting. Describing the setting and establishing the atmosphere well helps the reader visualize the story. Word choices, time, and weather has an impact on our setting. The student will practice differences in word choice that affect setting. Then students will work on developing the setting of their story. Homework to be determined based on progress.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

Day 3: Tool 4: Characters-Protagonist and Antagonist

 Students learn about protagonists and antagonists through discussion and video. We explore how detailed character description, both external (appearance) and internal (personality), helps readers form emotional connections. In a brief activity, students practice describing peers using specific traits and discussing how these traits influence behavior. Students then develop their story's characters and place them within their established setting. Homework to be determined based on progress.

60 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

Day 4: Plot

 Students learn how plot determines story order and connects all previous tools (description, mood, setting, and characters) to create an engaging story that keeps readers interested. We explore story structure through the 5 W's and how, focusing on beginning (character introduction and problem), middle (events), and end (resolution). Using their kit's plot chart, students organize their story elements and begin writing. Homework to be determined based on progress

60 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Parental Guidance in that content could be scary for some students, although what we talk about in this class is more of a spooky feel and doesn't really have the same images as pure Horror would. Here they may see graveyards, ghosts, haunted houses, and any monster, if present, will likely come from imagination.

Pre-Requisites

They should be able to type in Google Docs at least a little bit. They are allowed to have help from their parents to transfer writing if needed. They should come to class with their "writing kit" ready. See listing and Welcome message.

Supply List

*Students needs their Story-Starter Kt-Give upon signing up for the class. Be sure to read directions.
*Some parts of the kit needs to be done before the first day of class.
*Need pencil.
*Someone in family needs to have a Google account for the use of Google Docs.
*Parents needs to be able to send any handwritten parts of the story to the teacher as directed.
*Parent is allowed to type the story for the student if the student absolutely cannot do that.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Google Docs

Sources

Students will use Google Docs to write at least the ending. The teacher using slides on Canva to teach class.

Meet the teacher

April Hutcheson Creations (Ms. April)

Joined January, 2022

4.8

129reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor’s Degree from University of Phoenix

• Currently pursuing Master's Degree in Educational Technology and Instructional Design - bringing the latest teaching innovations to writing instruction
• Bachelor's Degree
• Published writer: Newspaper article and children's book in progress
• Proven Results: Three years of successful tutoring on Outschool
• Teaching Excellence: 13 years of experience in both traditional and online settings
• Professional Development: ESL certified, former BookNook instructor