Writers Room: A Creative Writing Class Vol. 2

This workbook is designed to be the core of a creative language arts curriculum for junior high and high school homeschool students. It contains weekly readings, discussion questions on creative writing, writing projects, and literature analysis. Many of the activities require students to come up with their topics and ideas for writing. This can be uncomfortable for many but is good practice as every student’s creative style comes from their unique life perspective. The teacher should help students think of story ideas and writing topics. A comprehensive list of writing prompts can be found at the back of this book if students need help getting started. 

A separate study of grammar, vocabulary, elements of public speaking, and essay writing may be needed to supplement this program and create a complete language arts program. However, those elements may also be incorporated into this flexible, free-flowing learning course as the teacher might decide. A vocabulary list is provided for this purpose at the end of the book. I recommend students use an online editing program like Grammarly to master the rules of English. It can be a very effective way to learn. 

The lessons are designed to provide a loose structure through which students and the teacher may approach creative writing in a fun and engaging way. The instructor should take advantage of teachable moments throughout the course. 

Student work will be the basis for many creative writing discussions. While it can be completed independently, the dynamic of a group offers many opportunities for sharing, feedback, improvement, the valuable exchange of ideas, and social connection. The teacher should facilitate a free exchange of ideas, opinions, and information within the structure of the activities. Respect toward others should be kept at the forefront. The purpose of sharing student writing is to improve steadily over time. Any feedback that discourages this should not be tolerated. 

Weekly Lessons Include 

1) Complete the crossword puzzle using the list of vocabulary words at the end of the book or the internet. Be prepared to discuss the words and defintions during class.  

2)Read the article on creative writing and complete the discussion questions stemming from it. The answers to these questions should be thoughtfully completed by each student during the week for use in discussion during the next class. Students may be graded on the quality of their answers and presentation of these ideas in class. 

3) Complete a creative writing project. Students must come up with their ideas, but they may use the writing prompts at the back of the book to get their creative juices flowing. The writing piece should not be long. Only one page is provided for a reason. Students will share their writing during class to receive feedback, to get revision suggestions, or to practice public speaking skills. 

4) Read the literature sample provided and write a two paragraph analysis of the work and author. You may do research about the work or author to enrich your response with your summaries, opinions, observations, praise or criticism of the work. These piece of writing will be used during the following class to fuel discussion about the piece of writing. The teacher will facilitate this analysis of the work and students will decide whether it “stands on its own two feet” as every piece of writing must be created to do. The purpose of this analysis is to provide open-ended opportunities to discuss what makes a piece of writing good or bad, effective or not. Students should take notes on the page and mark up the sample text with notes that they can refer to later during their creative writing. 

5) Find a fun book to read. Enjoy it. Log your book on the “What Are You Reading For Fun” page. Write your start date and finish date. Then move to another book. Repeat.

A Note for Teachers