Creative Writing Course Plan for Year 6
Course Overview
This Creative Writing course for Year 6 students aims to ignite their imagination, enhance their writing skills, and foster a love for storytelling. Over the span of 30 lessons, students will explore various genres, develop their voice, and learn the essential elements of narrative writing. Each lesson will include engaging activities, discussions, and an opportunity for students to share their work.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the key elements of creative writing, including character, setting, plot, and theme.
- Write in various genres, such as fantasy, mystery, and poetry.
- Develop original stories using descriptive language and figurative speech.
- Critique their work and the work of peers constructively.
- Present their written work confidently.
Lesson Plan Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to Creative Writing
- Objectives: Define creative writing and explore its importance.
- Activities: Group discussion, read sample excerpts.
Lesson 2: Exploring Genres
- Objectives: Identify different genres of creative writing.
- Activities: Genre exploration game, genre wheel activity.
Lesson 3: Elements of Storytelling
- Objectives: Understand character, setting, plot, and theme.
- Activities: Story chart creation, group brainstorming.
Lesson 4: Character Development
- Objectives: Create and develop believable characters.
- Activities: Character profiles, character sketches.
Lesson 5: Setting the Scene
- Objectives: Establishing a strong setting.
- Activities: Descriptive writing exercise based on images.
Lesson 6: The Plot Thickens
- Objectives: Understand story arcs and plot development.
- Activities: Plot outline creation, discussion on plot twists.
Lesson 7: Writing a Short Story
- Objectives: Craft a short story using learned elements.
- Activities: Write a story draft, peer reviews.
Lesson 8: The Magic of Dialogue
- Objectives: Write realistic dialogue.
- Activities: Dialogue writing exercises with character scripts.
Lesson 9: Adding Emotion
- Objectives: Evoke emotions through writing.
- Activities: Emotion word bank creation, writing emotion-driven scenes.
Lesson 10: Using Descriptive Language
- Objectives: Enhance writing with adjectives and adverbs.
- Activities: Descriptive writing workshops, using sensory details.
Lesson 11: Figurative Language
- Objectives: Understand and use similes, metaphors, and personification.
- Activities: Figurative language scavenger hunt, poetry writing with figurative language.
Lesson 12: Creating Suspense
- Objectives: Build tension and suspense in writing.
- Activities: Analyse suspenseful stories, suspense writing exercise.
Lesson 13: Writing Mysteries
- Objectives: Understand the structure of mystery writing.
- Activities: Outline a mystery plot, write a short mystery story.
Lesson 14: Writing for Fantasy
- Objectives: Explore world-building in fantasy writing.
- Activities: Create a fantasy world map, write a fantasy scene.
Lesson 15: Developing a Theme
- Objectives: Identify and weave themes throughout a story.
- Activities: Themed writing prompts, group discussions.
Lesson 16: Writing Poetry
- Objectives: Explore different forms of poetry.
- Activities: Write a haiku, acrostic poem, and free verse.
Lesson 17: Storytelling Techniques
- Objectives: Learn storytelling techniques and structure.
- Activities: Practise storytelling in small groups.
Lesson 18: Narrative Perspective
- Objectives: Understand first-person vs. third-person perspectives.
- Activities: Rewrite a scene from different perspectives.
Lesson 19: Editing and Revising
- Objectives: Learn the differences between editing and revising.
- Activities: Peer editing sessions, revision techniques workshop.
Lesson 20: Sharing Stories
- Objectives: Develop presentation skills for sharing work.
- Activities: Story sharing in class, feedback sessions.
Lesson 21: Embracing Feedback
- Objectives: Understand how to give and receive constructive feedback.
- Activities: Feedback role-play, group review sessions.
Lesson 22: Writing Non-fiction Creatively
- Objectives: Explore creative writing in non-fiction (e.g., memoirs).
- Activities: Write a personal experience narrative.
Lesson 23: Writing Plays and Scripts
- Objectives: Understand the components of playwriting.
- Activities: Scriptwriting exercises, perform short scenes.
Lesson 24: Character Interviews
- Objectives: Go deeper into character development.
- Activities: Conduct interviews with characters, character development writing.
Lesson 25: Using Technology in Writing
- Objectives: Explore digital tools for creative writing.
- Activities: Create an online blog or digital story.
Lesson 26: Writing Challenges
- Objectives: Enhance creativity through writing prompts and challenges.
- Activities: Daily writing prompts, themed writing challenges.
Lesson 27: Inspiration from Literature
- Objectives: Use literature as inspiration for writing.
- Activities: Read excerpts and write responses inspired by them.
Lesson 28: Preparing a Portfolio
- Objectives: Prepare a personal writing portfolio.
- Activities: Compile best pieces, design portfolio layout.
Lesson 29: Writing Competitions
- Objectives: Understand the process of entering competitions.
- Activities: Research and prepare submissions for writing contests.
Lesson 30: Course Reflection and Celebration
- Objectives: Reflect on learning and celebrate achievements.
- Activities: Final presentations, discussion on future writing goals.
Assessment and Evaluation
Students will be assessed through:
- Participation in class discussions and activities.
- Completed writing assignments and projects.
- Peer feedback and engagement in critique sessions.
- A final portfolio showcasing their best work.
Resources
- Recommended reading lists, including age-appropriate novels, short stories, and poetry.
- Writing prompts and exercises from various sources online.
- Access to digital writing tools and platforms.
By following this course plan, Year 6 students will not only enhance their creative writing skills but also develop their confidence as young writers, paving the way for a lifelong appreciation of storytelling.