Do you have a creative writing class in your school? Most likely you do, as schools these days seem to be embracing creative writing as a form of expression. Whether you are teaching literature or creative writing, there are many ways you can integrate the two. Here are a few tips from a professional to help you along the way.
Creative Writing Is A Form Of Exhilaration
An important thing to keep in mind when introducing creative writing to your class is that it should be a place for the students to explore their creative sides. For younger students, this may mean allowing them to write a short story or an episode for your world literature class. For older students, it could mean allowing them to write a play or a novel. This is what makes creative writing so special, it gives the students the courage to be themselves and try new things. Even if you are not looking to increase your students’ literary skills, but rather want them to express their creativity through art or music, you can still benefit from their passion and energy. A creative writing class is a good place for students to experiment and try new things. It is important not to stifle their creative spirit, that is what makes them unique individuals.
Make Sure Your Students Have The Materials They Need
If you are planning on teaching creative writing, you should make sure that you have the necessary materials to do so. This includes books, papers, pens, etc. It is all about giving your students the best possible experience, and ensuring they have everything they need is the way to do so. If your school library does not have the required materials, then consider getting them. You can also ask your teaching staff for help, as they may know of some useful books or online resources. If you are finding that your students are getting bored of their traditional text books and want something new, consider getting them creative writing books or magazines to read. It is also crucial to have a quiet space, free from distractions, where the students can focus on their writing.
Set Proper Goals
Setting proper goals is important if you want to introduce creative writing to your classroom. This will help you gauge your success and determine what, if any, changes you need to make to ensure the best possible outcome. For example, if you are looking to increase your students’ critical thinking skills, you may want to consider making a change to your syllabus so that every other week you have a different form of assessment. If you are teaching creative writing to secondary school students, then you may want to consider making a change so that every other unit is a creative writing unit. This will give you some variety, and it may also help you assess their improvements more accurately. Properly setting goals is an important part of planning, and it helps ensure you are heading in the right direction.
Find A Partner
When teaching creative writing to secondary school students, it is important to find a partner to share the workload with. By dividing the teaching responsibilities between two people, you can ensure each student has the best possible individual attention. Having a partner also means you can share ideas and resources, as well as discuss what each student needs to work on. If you have recently started teaching creative writing, then consider talking to other teachers, or even students, to see how they learned and what you could do differently. It is also important not to underestimate the value of an experienced teacher, as they may be the key to helping your class succeed.
Get Ready To Teach
If you are completely new to teaching, then you may want to consider taking some time off before starting your creative writing classes. Getting a feel for the way the medium works, how students react to certain teaching approaches, and whether or not you have what it takes to be a good teacher is all important. If you are a native English speaker, as most creative writing teachers are, then you may not need to worry about getting a feel for the way the language works, but rather can focus on teaching techniques. In a nutshell, you will want to ensure you are prepared to teach creative writing, and with practice, you will become better and better at it.
Start Small
A good starting point for your creative writing classes is with a short story or an essay. These are quick and easy to teach, and it is all about building a foundation. Once you have students’ interest and engagement, then you can move on to bigger and more complex projects. If you want to use creative writing to instill confidence and improve academic results, then consider starting small, something easy for the students to get their teeth into. This will help build their self-efficacy, which is the belief in their own ability to perform.
Take Care Of Yourself
If you are looking to teach creative writing, then it comes as no surprise that you have chosen a topic you are passionate about. This is great, but it also means you may be more susceptible to burnout than usual. It is important you take care of yourself and ensure you have what it takes to give your all to this new venture. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Creative writing is a demanding job, and while it can give you valuable skills and offer unique professional opportunities, it also comes with its downsides. Make sure you are aware of these before you embark on your journey, as this will help you plan how to best tackle your responsibilities. Ultimately, you will want to ensure you are putting your students first, and doing what is necessary to give them the best possible experience. This may mean being willing to sacrifice your personal life, as your teaching and your students’ progress will be all that matter. You are a teacher, of course, but also a role model, and it is important you show the same level of dedication and care as you would for your students.