Lesson Plan: Creative Writing for KS3 Children

Subject: English Topic: Creative Writing Level: Key Stage 3 (Ages 11-14)

Introduction: - Begin the lesson by asking students what they understand by the term “creative writing.” - Explain that creative writing is a form of self-expression where students can use their imagination to create stories, poems, or any other form of written work. - Discuss the importance of creative writing in developing language skills, critical thinking, and creativity. - Share examples of famous authors and their works to inspire students.

Lesson Outline: 1. Warm-up Activity (10 minutes): - Show a short video clip related to creative writing, such as “The Power of Words” by Andrea Gardner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU). - Ask students to reflect on the video and discuss the impact of words on our lives.

1. Introduction to Creative Writing (15 minutes):
   • Provide a brief overview of different forms of creative writing, such as short stories, poetry, and descriptive writing.
   • Show examples of each form and discuss their unique characteristics.
   • Distribute a worksheet (link: Worksheet on Different Forms of Creative Writing) for students to complete individually or in pairs.
2. Brainstorming and Planning (20 minutes):
   • Explain the importance of brainstorming ideas before starting to write.
   • Conduct a class discussion on various techniques for generating ideas, such as mind mapping, freewriting, or using prompts.
   • Provide a worksheet (link: Creative Writing Prompts Worksheet) with a variety of prompts for students to choose from.
   • Allow students time to brainstorm and plan their writing using the chosen prompt.
3. Writing and Peer Feedback (25 minutes):
   • Instruct students to begin writing their creative piece based on their chosen prompt.
   • Encourage students to focus on using descriptive language, engaging dialogue, and creating interesting characters or settings.
   • Pair students up and ask them to exchange their written work for peer feedback.
   • Provide a worksheet (link: Peer Feedback Worksheet) to guide students in providing constructive feedback to their peers.

Questioning: - Throughout the lesson, use open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and class participation, such as: 1. What are some different forms of creative writing? 2. How can brainstorming help in the creative writing process? 3. What techniques can you use to make your writing more engaging?

Assessment: - Informal assessment can be conducted through class discussions, observations, and peer feedback. - For a formal assessment, assign students to complete their creative writing piece at home and submit it for grading. Provide a rubric to assess their work based on creativity, language use, organization, and adherence to the chosen prompt.

Differentiation: - Provide additional support for struggling students by offering simpler prompts or allowing them to work in pairs. - Challenge advanced students by encouraging them to experiment with different writing styles or incorporating literary devices into their work.

Plenary: - Ask students to share a brief excerpt from their creative writing piece with the class. - Discuss the challenges they faced during the writing process and how they overcame them. - Highlight the importance of revision and editing in improving their writing.

Resources: 1. Video: “The Power of Words” by Andrea Gardner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU 2. Worksheet on Different Forms of Creative Writing - Link to Worksheet 3. Creative Writing Prompts Worksheet - Link to Worksheet 4. Peer Feedback Worksheet - Link to Worksheet