About
Big Picture Concept: Students will co-create a Digital Magazine over the 8 weeks! Each week will build core skills needed to design a real product: ➔ Creative Writing ➔ Editorial & Opinion Writing ➔ Interviewing & Debate ➔ Story Crafting & Description ➔ Vocabulary Expansion ➔ Flow & Articulation ➔ Design Thinking The final magazine will feature their stories, poems, articles, interviews, editorials, and creative work. Weekly Flow Overview WEEK 1: Launch & Unlock Creativity Theme: "Your Voice, Your Story" Icebreaker: "What’s your story?" – short intros based on a random picture from Once Upon a Picture. Warm-up Game: "Sentence Builder" – collaboratively create a silly or serious story one sentence at a time. Skill Focus: How to overcome "blank page syndrome" — Techniques for starting (mind-mapping, visual prompts, freewriting). Mini Task: 5-minute Fast Fiction (write a 100-word story based on a chosen image). Project Start: Choose a theme for their Magazine (e.g., Adventure, Sci-Fi, Environmental Heroes, Teen Life). WEEK 2: Building Vivid Vocabulary Theme: "Say it Better!" Vocabulary Challenge: Synonym swap and word explosion (expanding simple words into powerful ones). Skill Focus: Showing vs. Telling in writing. Mini Task: Rewrite boring sentences to make them vivid and emotional. Interactive Resource: Vocabulary-based games from Engoo. Project Task: Begin creating "Writer Profiles" for the magazine: 100-word bios. WEEK 3: Create Characters that Breathe Theme: "People on Paper" Character Spark: Use Once Upon a Picture to invent a character from an image. Skill Focus: Developing realistic characters (desires, fears, quirks). Mini Task: Character interview roleplay (students interview each other as fictional characters). Project Task: Draft short fictional pieces or comic-style profiles for the magazine. WEEK 4: Story Structures & Flow Theme: "How Stories Stick" Story Spark: Quick group plot building (using "Hero's Journey" and "Three-Act" structures). Skill Focus: Beginnings, Middles, and Endings. Mini Task: Write a compelling story opening paragraph. Interactive Resource: Story-building cards and plot twist dice (digital version shared). Project Task: Submit draft fiction or nonfiction article ideas for the magazine. WEEK 5: Persuasive Writing & Debates Theme: "Words That Win!" Warm-Up: Fun mini debates (e.g., "Cats are better than dogs" or "Homework should be banned"). Skill Focus: How to build an argument — Emotional vs. Logical appeal. Mini Task: Opinion piece (choose a topic and write a passionate mini-article). Interactive Resource: Quick debate starter cards. Project Task: Assign Opinion Column sections for the magazine. WEEK 6: Interviews and Real-World Writing Theme: "Be the Reporter" Skill Focus: How to prepare questions, active listening, and capturing quotes. Mini Task: Interview a partner about a hobby or favorite thing and write a 100-word news story. Interactive Resource: Samples of real interviews/articles for teens. Project Task: Collect or simulate interviews for the magazine (family member, classmate, or fictional celebrity). WEEK 7: Editing & Polishing Masterclass Theme: "Make It Shine!" Skill Focus: Editing for clarity, grammar, word choice, and flow. Interactive Practice: Peer-editing exercises (using positive critique structures: "Glow & Grow" feedback). Mini Task: Edit your own work — and swap with a partner. Project Task: Finalize magazine submissions. WEEK 8: Launch Party! Sharing & Celebrating Theme: "Our Words, Our World" Showcase: Students present favorite pieces (either read or show visual spreads). Mini Debate or Panel: Host a mini roundtable about "Why Writing Matters" — students share insights. Celebrate: Publish and share the Digital Magazine (Google Slides, Canva, Issuu, or a basic blog site). Reflection: Quick written reflections on their favorite skill learned. Creative and Innovative Teaching Methods Included: ✅ Image-Based Prompts (Once Upon A Picture) ✅ Mini-Debates and Speaking Activities (critical thinking + verbal articulation) ✅ Writing Games (Engoo, vocabulary building, plot twist dice) ✅ Real-World Simulations (interviews, editorial work) ✅ Peer Feedback Sessions (collaborative improvement) ✅ Live Magazine Creation (authentic output = higher engagement) Skills Students Will Gain Writing fluency and flow Expanded vocabulary and descriptive power Critical and creative thinking Articulation and public speaking confidence Editing and revision mastery Real-world writing (journalism, opinion, storytelling) Collaboration and project management Pride in publishing their own work
You can also join this program via the mobile app. Go to the app