Suzy's Writing Corner - Lesson 1- So, you want to write a story...

Reach for the Stars! Writing Workshop for Kids

WORKSHOP LESSONS

WRITING CERTIFICATE

WHAT'S NEW?

OUR STORIES!

AMY (BOOKLOVER)

MARGO MARGOLIA

ANGELHORSE

STORY MAIDEN

WRITING "STARS"

Suzy's Writing Corner

Welcome to my writing workshop for budding young authors. Learn how to create your characters and "show don't tell" their feelings. Write beginnings that "hook" your readers. Learn to use a "writing camera" to freeze a scene, and more! Download free worksheets. Click LESSON 1 on the left sidebar to begin.
****************************************************

Sep. 12, 2007

Lesson 1- So, you want to write a story...

I'm excited to see you here. The best thing about this Reach for the Stars workshop is the fact that you can work at your own pace--as slowly or as quickly as you like. If you would like a graphic for your sidebar, you may copy the code for the one below to let others know about the workshop. You may "friend" the workshop to make it easier to hop back and forth. If and when you complete all 16 lessons, you earn a Certificate of Completion for your portfolio. (Click the picture of the certificate on the sidebar to read the details).

I have dozens of students, so PLEASE read these guidelines carefully. Otherwise I might not know when you post a lesson.

--If you want me to look at your lessons and give you feedback, you must do 2 things for EACH lesson:
1) Sign Mr. Linky (the box at the bottom of each lesson). This is how I find your lesson!
2) Leave me a comment with each lesson you complete, telling me that you signed Mr. Linky. The comments come to my e-mail box and alerts me to those who have finished lessons.
If you can't figure out how to use Mr. Linky, leave me a comment and I'll try to walk you through it.
--I will comment on your assignments with feedback and suggestions.
--Mr. Linky will allow students to critique each others' work, also.
--If you prefer to download and keep the worksheets to yourself, that's fine, too.
--The CBox is here for your questions. Use it any time to ask me questions about your lessons. However, remember that I only see the Cbox questions if I'm at the blog, so it may take some time to get back to you. Be patient.

LESSON 1-

This first lesson is going to be easy. I want you to gather the materials you need for the class:
--Some kind of folder to keep your writing assignments in. You can decorate it however you like.
--Notebook paper to brainstorm (think of ideas) or write rough drafts of your assignments
--Pencils & erasers

Below are 2 links to pdf files you can download to your computer and print out. The first one is the table of contents for the Reach for the Stars workshop. Keep it in your folder so you can get an idea of the different elements of fiction we are going to study:
TABLE OF CONTENTS

The other link is a colorful page that shows what every good story needs. Keep this handy page in your folder to look at whenever you are writing a story, to make sure you have these elements:
5 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD STORY

Your first assignment: Older students (grades 4 and up): Read the handout about what every good story needs. Then think of a book you have read. See if you can figure out if the story you read included each of the 5 elements.
Example: Charlotte's Web
Character: Charlotte the spider
Setting: the barnyard
Problem: keeping Wilbur alive
Plot: Charlotte creates webs that "talk"; Wilbur becomes a star
Solution: Wilbur lives

Younger students (grades 1-3): Find the character and setting (have mom help) and one thing that happened in the story.

Post it on your blog and sign Mr. Linky's "In Other Words"!
Next Week: Creating Your Characters
Bonus file for parents: Extra "hands-on" ideas for the lessons:
PARENT GUIDE

. Post A Comment! . Send to a Friend!

Comments

Sep. 21, 2007 - reaching for the stars

Posted by Anonymous

Suzy,

Thank you so much for starting this - is this going to be directly from your workbook? if so, any way to make the workbook available after all the lessons (have you thought of making it available through lulu.com so that those of us who would like to have the workbook can have it?)

I will follow these lessons for me and my daughter who says she wants to write but isn't sure how to go about it - I am saving them in my folders - but will think about putting them on my blog - will keep you posted on how she does - E :)

----------
Elysabeth Eldering
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
www.emesemporium.net