Sunday, July 24, 2016

Monday July 24th, 2016

First day of camp! We introduced ourselves to one another in class, and broke the ice with our "Draw A Story, Guess the Story" activity! Students were enthusiastic for camp and eager to get started on their main class project.

We're set to achieve a great amount in a short time, ending with a Book Fair Friday the 29th at 330pm. Students will publish their works online via flipsnackedu.com. Each student will receive a username and password to log in to our writing group. Flipsnack allows the student to either type their work, or upload their own drawings and content, as well as select from a variety of images and media outlets to insert into their works. Flipsnack doesn't just benefit students in camp, but also allows them to work on their projects at home when they log in to their Flipsnack website!

Agenda

  • Introduction
  • Icebreaker
  • Elements of A Story
  • Class Reading
  • Major Project

Introduction
We had a quick run down of our camp goals and projects. We also discussed the expectations of each student in camp, as well as what each student could expect out of their instructor. Each students took a moment to give their name and name a few things they really liked or didn't like.

Our class also discussed how we would reach each project goal, and what the final outcome of the class will be. Campers we're told there would be a Book Fair on Friday to showcase their books, not only with each student, but other IQuest campers, family members, and friends! The instructor informed the camp that we have a lot of work to cover in a short amount of time; we're spending a total of 15 hours together and creating a book. Most published works have around a 15 month process!

Icebreaker - Draw a Story
Students were handed a story board and told to draw a 6 panel short story, including the five elements of a story. Students only to drew the story, and did not write what the story was about. Once finished, the students then switched their drawings with another classmate. The classmate had to guess the students story line buy using only the illustration. Many students came up with hilarious and interesting guesses, but there were a few that got them right!

Elements of A Story
We went over the five elements of a story, mainly focusing on character, setting, and plot. We discussed the importance of each element, what they meant, and how to incorporate them into a story. We also work on activities that focused on getting each element in their story. Campers were handed a blank writing sheet to start brainstorming their major story ideas focusing on the characters, setting, and plot (3 events).

Class Reading
We have a mini library in class with a collection of books for students to choose from! Each day in camp, students get 30 minutes of reading time to help showcase different styles of writing. Students are also able to absorb various author's storytelling abilities, see what elements are included in major stories, and learn how to articulate their own story from reading in class.

 Campers were handed the "Elements of a Story" worksheet challenge after their reading time. The worksheet asked each student to highlight the 5 elements of one the story they read in class.

Major Class Project
Student discussed our large class project. We began with blank sheets of paper to draw graphs on what genre we wanted to write about, encouraging not to write about something the student is not interested as the reader more than likely won't be interested either. Students discussed their main and supporting characters,  their story setting (time and place), as well as their general plot idea. We used blank writing paper to make an outline of our story, a blank sheet of paper for our genre graph, and a blank story board to get our illustration ideas and structure down.

Our camp will us Flipsnack to create our major project. Our camp web address is: msadriennecreativewriting.flipsnackedu.com

Each student has a log in name, usually their first name, but some have their last. Students given username in class. The password for all students to log in is: iquest.

Students were shown the Flipsnack website, but we will work on the site more in class tomorrow (Tuesday). Today we focused more on getting the outline of our story. Tomorrow we'll focus more on finalizing our outline, getting out ideas organized, and checking out the Flipsnack software so students can gt the hang of what they'll be using for their major project.

Homework
Each student was asked to write a final outline and first rough draft of their story to bring to class tomorrow so we can review and get going on our first draft.

Storytelling Camp Overview July 2016

Storytelling In Your Own Words
Ages 8-12

Pull stories from your imagination and put them in a book! Campers will learn the components and structure of good writing and use a storyboard to guide their process. Each child will create and illustrate their own book that will be published online and shared with family and friends as they please.

Class Breakdown

Monday


Introduction

  • What We'll Do - A quick run down on our camp goals and projects. Students learn the expectations of each class. 
  • How We'll Do It - Class discussion on how our class will reach each project goal, as well as the overall camp goal. 
  • Icebreaker - Draw a Story 
    • Students are handed a story board and encouraged to draw a short 6 panel story including the elements of a story. Students are only to draw the story, leaving the writing blank. Students will switch their story drawings to another classmate, and the classmate will try and guess their story line! 
Elements of A Story
Students will learn what the elements of a story are, focusing on character, setting, and plot, as well as the importance of the elements, how to incorporate them into their story, as well as work on activities that focus on getting all elements in their stories.

Class Reading 
Students select a book, either online or on our book shelf, to read for 30 minutes. Students will read each day in class to absorb other author's storytelling abilities, what elements are included in major stories, and how to articulate their own story from reading selected material in class.

Major Class Project
Student will discuss our large class project, writing and illustrating a story to publish online for friends and family! Students will organize their thoughts, story elements, illustrations, and what medium they'd like to have their story uploaded.


Students will present their final work on Friday, the 29th, at 3pm in our Camp Book Fair! 

For our published works, students will have a choice of working with the following website to help create their major camp project:

  • flipsnackedu.com
Tuesday

Icebreaker - Tell A Story
Students will rely on their creative storytelling skills in this class Icebreaker. The instructor begins with providing a character, a setting, and a conflict. The students then take a turn adding to the story, including the setting, plot, and resolution. They're encouraged to write and draw their portion of the story, so we may piece it together at the end of the activity. 


Evil Unicorn, far away land near in a stone city on the coast of an ocean, created something dangerous.

Elements of A Story
Students will continue the lesson from yesterday, focusing on the final elements of a story; conflict and resolution.

Group Story Telling
Students are placed into small groups with a storyboard and an Elements of A Story worksheet. Students are given 5 minutes each to discuss and decide on each element in their story, as well as to draw and write about their story on their storyboard. Students will share their group story with the class.

Class Reading
Students select a book, either online or on our book shelf, to read for 30 minutes. Students will read each day in class to absorb other author's storytelling abilities, what elements are included in major stories, and how to articulate their own story from reading selected material in class. Students are encouraged to read a different book than the day before to help them see the different ways a story can be told.

Major Class Project
Students are handed materials to begin outlining their major class story. Each student works individually on their story to include each element, as well as illustrations. Students can decide to hand write and draw, then upload their story, or complete their story online.

Wednesday

Icebreaker - Grab Bag Storytelling
Students randomly select items from a grab bag and write a story about it including allof the story elements.

Class Reading
Students select a book, either online or on our book shelf, to read for 30 minutes. Students will read each day in class to absorb other author's storytelling abilities, what elements are included in major stories, and how to articulate their own story from reading selected material in class. Students are encouraged to read a different book than the day before to help them see the different ways a story can be told.

Story Strips
Students select strips of paper written with random settings, characters, and problems. Students then write a short story, including all of the elements of a story, and write them in a small story to share with the class. Students will also illustrate their story!

Major Class Project
Students are handed materials to begin outlining their major class story. Each student works individually on their story to include each element, as well as illustrations. Students can decide to hand write and draw, then upload their story, or complete their story online.

Thursday

Icebreaker - Story Dice
Students roll dice to help them randomly select their story elements. Students will create a story using the elements they rolled.

Class Reading
Students select a book, either online or on our book shelf, to read for 30 minutes. Students will read each day in class to absorb other author's storytelling abilities, what elements are included in major stories, and how to articulate their own story from reading selected material in class. Students are encouraged to read a different book than the day before to help them see the different ways a story can be told.

Major Class Project
Students will work extensively on their major class project to present on Friday. Each student will have a large amount of time to illustrate, upload, edit, proof read, and ensure all the story elements are included in their story.

Friday

Icebreaker - MyFavorite Story
Students will each have a few minutes to discuss their favorite story. Each students will have to list each element of their favorite story, and explain why they enjoyed the story.

Major Class Project
Students will work extensively to finalize their major class project. Each student will have a large amount of time to illustrate, upload, edit, proof read, and ensure all the story elements are included in their story. Each student will share their final story in class with family and snacks!

Book Fair at 3pm!!

Telephone Game 
This classic game will help students listen for important story elements and details as they try to pass a short story initiated by the instructor from one end of the room to the other while trying to keep all the details correct once the story hits the last student.


Class Materials



  • Computer
  • 3-ring binder to keep all writing material
  • Pencils
  • Dividers with folders and tabs
  • Sheet protectors