Encouraging Creative Writing in the Classroom K-12
Trainer: Engy Hammam
Duration: 18 Hours
Objectives
By the end of this professional development course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the value and impact of creative writing on students’ language development and critical thinking.
2. Identify key components of the creative writing process.
3. Design and facilitate engaging creative writing activities tailored to different grade levels.
4. Use strategies to nurture voice, originality, and imagination in student writing.
5. Integrate creative writing with reading, grammar, and other literacy skills.
6. Provide constructive feedback that motivates student writers.
7. Incorporate digital tools, prompts, and multimedia to support creative expression.
8. Develop assessment tools that value process, creativity, and growth.
Outline
Module 1: The Power of Creative Writing in Education
• Importance of creative writing in the language classroom
• Benefits for student engagement, self-expression, and cognitive development
• Myths and misconceptions about teaching creative writing
• Differentiating creative writing from academic writing
Module 2: Understanding the Creative Writing Process
• Elements of the creative writing process: ideation, drafting, revising, editing, sharing
• Genre exploration: poetry, narrative fiction, drama, and personal essays
• Building creative stamina and habits in students
• Encouraging writing fluency over perfection
Module 3: Fostering Creativity and Imagination in Students
• Strategies for idea generation and brainstorming
• Creative use of images, music, and storytelling prompts
• Encouraging divergent thinking and risk-taking
• Creating a safe and inclusive writing environment
Module 4: Designing Creative Writing Lessons and Projects
• Lesson planning with clear objectives and scaffolds
• Developing units around story elements (plot, character, setting, theme)
• Cross-curricular links: history-inspired stories, science fiction from STEM topics
• Differentiating creative writing activities for various grade levels
Module 5: Guiding and Assessing Student Writing
• Formative assessment strategies
• Constructive feedback: moving beyond “good job”
• Rubrics for creativity, voice, and effort
• Peer and self-assessment techniques
• Balancing structure and freedom
Module 6: Integrating Technology and Digital Tools
• Using blogs, eBooks, podcasts, and digital storytelling tools
• Platforms for publishing student writing
• Collaborative writing using different Platforms
• Addressing digital citizenship in creative writing
Module 7: Creating a Writing Culture in the Classroom
• Daily and weekly routines to promote writing
• Celebrating student work through publishing, performances, and contests
• Building a classroom writing community
• Sustaining motivation throughout the year