Creative Writing

7th and 8th Grade / Semester

Students will keep a journal of unique writing exercises that encourage both an enjoyment of writing as well as practice in various writing skills, such as point of view, characterization, sensory detail, free association, effective dialogue, creating suspense and much more. In addition to daily writing, students will learn to read as writers, studying technique and craft by great writers. All students receive personalized feedback (from the teacher and from their peers) that addresses the efficacy of the writing. The atmosphere is a fun, safe community of writers, who honor each other’s attempt to capture their world in words. Three main genres of creative writing—creative non-fiction, short fiction, and poetry—will be deeply explored, culminating in a digital portfolio of at least four fully developed, finished pieces: one from each genre and one of free choice.

The photos below show students drafting, reading mentor texts, sharing their original children's books with their second grade buddies at Fairmeadow Elementary (and getting to read the second graders' original stories, too!), and writing poetry at Mitchell Park.