William Penberthy High School Summer School Creative Writing Class

Definition Creative writing is the exercise of creating imaginative drama, fiction, or poetry, esp. as a course of study. (Dictionary.com, 2013)

Why Should We Teach Creative Writing? Creative Writing Encourages Imagination Creative Writing Teaches Persuasiveness Creative Writing Teaches Discipline Grammar Skills Creative Writing Can Be Used As Therapy

Additional Questions Determine if the class should be open enrollment or more of a district-wide program Should we charge for the class as extra-curricular activities or offer it as a free-for-entry Length and duration of the class

Curriculum Development Impacts Guest Speakers - Writing assignments should follow on guest specialty Available references – what books are already available in the schools District writing standards State writing standards

Budgetary Impact Facilities Cost Janitorial Staff Security Staff Maintenance costs Instructional Cost Teacher Salary Teacher Benefits Instructional Aides Guest Speakers / Lecturers Materials

Facility Requirements Room for class of 30 students Access to male/ female restrooms with handicap access Library and resource center access Wireless or wired internet access Climate-controlled for comfortable learning conditions Easily-reached for student transportation

Supply Requirements Access to copy machine Electronic classroom equipment Projector Overhead Reference materials Dictionaries Thesaurus Writing supplies for under-advantaged students

Staffing the Course 1 Teacher FTE specializing in writing 1 Instructional Aide FTE specializing in language 1 guest speaker for each 6 hours of course Authors Screenwriters Storytellers Playwrights

Additional variables Students standardized test scores in writing should be analyzed to determine district’s success rate The amount of students in extracurricular activities that may include writing or an interest in reading Parents average educational level

Class Schedule The class should be at least 20 instructional hours over a period of at least 2 weeks Time to practice Time to think through the story Time to go through several drafts Ideally three 2-hour courses a week for 4 weeks

Course Marketing – Single School The class will be included in a summer catalog sent to all parents Handouts on the class will be distributed in all English classes Handouts to Extracurricular groups Sci/Fi Fantasy groups Gaming groups Newspaper club Honors clubs

Course Marketing – Multi School The class will be included in a summer catalog sent to all parents Handouts on the class will be distributed in all English classes Writing contest for admittance to course Distribution in district-wide materials

Marketing Timeline First sets of information should be distributed immediately after winter break Follow up information should be distributed in classrooms bi-monthly until the end of spring semester Class should not start until at least one week after the end of spring semester Writing contest, if any, for enrollment should be immediately after spring break

Potential Difficulties Determining Staffing Many qualified and potentially interested teachers Guest speakers Transportation Students not living close to school may be disadvantaged Administrator support limited

Copyright and Intellectual Property Student Protection and Rights The students retain all ownership rights to works they create during the class The teachers, school, or district have no rights to use or display any works produced by the students without the students permission. School Protection and Rights The school owns all rights to works that are produced in relationship to the class by teachers or aides.

References Dictionary.com, 2013, Retrieved from