Words Alive: History-Based Writing
Egyptian mummies. Roman gladiators. Medieval knights. Joan of Arc.
Using stories from ancient and medieval history as a backdrop, discover how to bring your written words alive to create magic and wonder in fictional writing, as well as clearly written non-fiction prose.
In this class, you’ll learn how to break down writing into simple steps and then build it up – with both fiction and non-fiction. With LOTS of games and activities, you’ll gently explore writing mechanics like spelling and grammar. You’ll also dive deep into historical-fiction stories with lively book discussions that focus on characters, themes, and basic literary techniques.
The goal of the class is you finish knowing that you can write and that can write well.
Time | Ages 11 - 15 | Class Blog |
Mentors Co-Mentor Ashley Shupe | Level Depth or Breadth? | Tuition $60 Winter Semester $30 |
Prerequisites
None
Materials Required
None
Homework
The book "The Golden Goblet" should be read before the first week of class.
Students will have a writing assignment each week. Some will be single paragraphs. Others will be 1-2 page fictional stories, response papers, or short essays. Several historical fiction books will be read during each semester.
Notes
All writing assignments are required to be typed. Students need to be able to type themselves, or a parent must be willing to type for them.
Books Students Provide
Title: Anna of Byzantium
Required: Yes
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Available here from Amazon
Title: Arabian Nights (Please read this version of Arabian Nights. There are many others but we all want to enjoy the same stories!)
Required: Yes
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Available here from Amazon
Title: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village
Required: Yes
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Available here from Amazon
Title: The Golden Goblet
Required: Yes
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Available here from Amazon
Title: Black Ships Before Troy
Required: Yes
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Available here from Amazon