Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Summer 2015 Mystery Writing Camp Overview

Mystery Writing

Summer Camp Overview


Does your young reader enjoy a page-turning mystery? Does he or she have a flair for detecting clues and guessing "whodunit"? Or perhaps they love the thrill of a suspenseful chase? Give your inquisitive questioner something to puzzle over this summer by sharing the art of mystery writingRecommended for ages 8-14.  


Class Outline


Monday


Introduction
  • Class structure and outline of weeks objectives
  • Class expectations
  • Student survey


New Lesson - The Plan
  • Starting a business: deciding a business purpose, mission, audience, image, and plan. Students will see examples of branding and marketing campaigns from familiar companies. Students will learn what it takes to have a successful business and marketing campaign.


Lesson Activity
  • Handouts
    • Steps for Success
    • Proof Reading
    • Stories that Sizzle
    • Story Genres
    • Skill Lesson Worksheet -
  • Setting the Stage Activity
    • Split into teams (6 students will create 3 teams of 2), to start working on Mystery story to present in class at Book Reading and Signing on Friday.
    • Activity - Write a new ending to a famous mystery (draw and describe setting)
    • Activity - Collaborative Story Worksheet (Rainy Saturday Mystery Story Prompt)
      • Students read a prompt and completes a portion of the story focusing on setting,
    • Activity - Using Pictures to Spark Creativity
      • Students look at pictures taken from mystery scenes and use response card to answer questions about picture to help spark setting inspiration.
    • Activity - Idea Notebook
      • Students will keep and idea notebook handy to keep ideas, inspiration, illustrations, etc.


Look Ahead at the Week's Objectives
  • Discuss how each day will go and what they are to expect from and what is expected of them.
  • We'll continue to work on our mystery story throughout the week and make final touches on Friday in order to present in a Book Reading and Signing at the end of class.


Tuesday


Review
  • Discussed yesterday’s lesson lecture and activities
  • Students discuss their progress and direction for their mystery stories.


New Lesson - Exploring the Elements of  a Story
  • Students learn what elements make a successful story, and what particular items make a successful mystery story.
  • Elements of a Story
    • Setting, character, plot, pov, organization, dialogue, word choice


Lesson Activity
  • Handouts
    • Create a Setting Postcard
    • Skill Lesson Worksheet -
  • Elements of a Story Activities
    • Create a Character Photo Frame
    • Lift the Flap Plot Square
    • Create Character Speech Spinner
    • Work of Mystery Story using knowledge from today’s lesson.


Look Ahead at Tomorrow’s Objectives
  • Discuss how each day will go and what they are to expect from and what is expected of them.


Wednesday
Review
  • Discussed yesterday’s lesson lecture and activities
  • Students discuss their progress and direction for their mystery stories.


New Lesson -Exploring the Mystery Genre
  • Students learn what elements make a successful story, and what particular items make a successful mystery story.


Lesson Activity
  • Handouts
  • Exploring the Mystery Genre Activities
    • Crack the Case
    • Problem Solution Flowchart
    • Character Plot Setting Flowchart
    • Exploring points of view
    • Exploring Dialogue
    • Be Specific Story Puzzle
    • Star of the Story


Look Ahead at Tomorrow’s Objectives
  • Discuss how each day will go and what they are to expect from and what is expected of them.


Thursday
Review
  • Discussed yesterday’s lesson lecture and activities
  • Students discuss their progress and direction for their mystery stories.


New Lesson - Wrap it Up
  • Students learn how to close out their story and the final processes necessary before sending to print.


Lesson Activity
  • Handouts
    • Story Editor
    • Assessment Rubrics
    • Skill Lesson Worksheet -
  • Work on Mystery Story and begin putting final touches on project for showcase tomorrow.


Friday
Review
  • Discussed the week’s lectures and activities
  • Students discuss their progress and direction for their mystery stories.


Lesson Activity
  • Students are to put final touches on their story by 3pm so we can have a book reading and signing at the end of class.


Class Materials

  • 3-ring binder to keep all writing material
  • Notebook (spiral or composition)
  • Pens and pencils
  • Dividers with folders and tabs
  • Sheet protectors
  • Copy of class book (selected in first week of class by students)

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