Creative Writing Instruction

Student presents speech based on his research paper, "The Truth about Global Warming."

CREATIVE WRITING FOR TEENS

Veteran home school mom, Eileen Rife, offers a class in creative writing. An alumna of Christian Writers Guild, Eileen is a multi-published author in both nonfiction and fiction. Her byline has appeared in magazines, such as Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Mature Living, Christian Home & School, Psychology for Living, Drama Ministry, David C. Cook The Quiet Hour devotional, and ParentLife, as well as other print and online publications. 

CLASS DETAILS

Age: 13 and up

Location: To be announced

Time: 90-minute class once a week

Cost: $280 a semester ($40 deposit at time of registration)

First semester focus: Writing skills, various types of articles (i.e., humorous, how-to, personality profile based on an interview, inspirational, persuasive, and seasonal), character sketch based on an autobiography or biography, essays in prep for SAT, debate, and research paper with accompanying speech. Focus varies according to student population and academic needs. Grammar is treated within the context of writing.

Second semester focus: Short stories, poetry with in-class presentation, research paper with speech, critical book review based on a classic, drama sketches with exposure to publishing company. Focus varies according to student population and academic needs. Grammar is treated within the context of writing.

Materials: Three-ring binder with notebook paper, pen or pencil.

 NOTE: Private tutoring and online instruction are also available if the student is not able to attend the physical class.  

The sky's the limit (or should I say, "the ceiling?") when looking for writing ideas!

Drama queens . . . and kings pose with the dramatic sketches they wrote. 

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CREATIVE WRITING FOR 10 – 12 YEAR OLDS

Location: To be announced

Time: One-hour class once a week 

Cost: $180 a semester ($40 deposit at time of registration)

First semester focus: Developing writing skills (i.e, fostering creativity, setting up a writing environment, using the five senses and literary tools), various types of articles (i.e., humorous, how-to, personality profile based on an interview, and seasonal), essays, character sketch based on an autobiography or biography with in-class presentation. Grammar is treated within the context of writing.

Second semester focus: Short stories, poetry with in-class presentation, theme sketch based on a classic with in-class presentation, and drama sketches

Materials: Three-ring binder with notebook paper, pen or pencil

Private tutoring and online class available for those who can't participate in the physical classroom setting.  

Student poses with her guinea pig during her speech based on her how-to article, "The Care & Feeding of a Guinea Pig."

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PARENTAL FEEDBACK

"Thank you so much for all that you have done for my son this year. I am so thrilled that his fear of writing is gone and for all that he has learned from you!!"  -KF

"Just want to give sincere thanks for all your wonderful work and guidance for my children. We are blessed to have you. With you, writing is fun again!"  -SK

 "I want to thank you again for all your work with my children. I can see how much they have improved with their writing . . . I may contact you about another online writing class in the fall."  -CM

"I can't begin to delve into the depths of our thankfulness for your working with our son this year. Thank you for your gracious, patient way of drawing him out. So appreciate all the hours of listening you had to do and your gradual shaping of our young man."  -CK

"I wanted to update you to share that my daughter just finished filming her first original screenplay (movie)...Apparently she is quite a good writer in this genre! She has had the wonderful opportunity to work with some of the region’s talented editors, casting directors, filmmakers, and directors as they collaborate to bring her words to the big screen…We will definitely keep you posted on this journey, but she is truly excited and passionate about her writing and it has really become part of her identity… Thank you so much for your contribution to that passion!"  -DD

"My son has enjoyed your class immensely. You're definitely his favorite teacher! Thanks for making the class fun and relevant. He's grown so much in his writing, which will help him when he starts taking classes at our community college." -LW 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES TO USE WITH CHILDREN AND TWEENS

If You're Trying to Teach Kids How To Write . . . you've gotta have this book! Marjorie Frank (c) 1979,1995. Incentive Publications. If You're Trying to Teach Kids How to Write

Complete Writing Lessons for the Middle Grades. Marjorie Frank (c) 1987 Incentive Publications.
Complete Writing Lessons for the Middle Grades

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PARENTAL PICKS

From time to time, parents mention a writing resource they have found helpful. Here's the list, which will be added to routinely as my students' parents pass resources along.

Story Starters: Helping Children Write Like They've Never Written Before by Karen Andreola

"Stoke the fires of your child's imagination and awaken the creative writer within! Featuring a teacher's guide and 19th-century black-and-white illustrations, this rich resource boasts over 65 "story-starters": narratives designed to suspend students in the middle of a predicament so that they can pick up a pen and determine what happens next! Ages 8 to 18. 458 pages, softcover from Charlotte Mason Research."

Product Information  www.amazon.com

Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 458 Vendor: Charlotte Mason Research Publication Date: 2006

Dimensions: 11 X 8.5 X 1 (inches) ISBN: 188920904X ISBN-13: 9781889209043 Availability: In Stock ~~