About
Course Overview What makes Newbery Medal books so powerful and unforgettable? In this writing course for Grades 5–6, students will read excerpts from award-winning children’s literature and use them as inspiration to craft their own expressive, thoughtful, and meaningful stories. By studying the language, characters, themes, and structure found in Newbery classics, students will learn how to write with depth, voice, and emotion—developing not just storytelling skills, but a literary style that connects with readers. Why Choose This Course Newbery-winning books are celebrated for their heart, honesty, and unforgettable characters. In this course, students will: Analyze passages from books like Because of Winn-Dixie, Sarah, Plain and Tall, The One and Only Ivan, and more Practice writing in a literary voice—clear, personal, and meaningful Develop well-rounded characters, realistic dialogue, and emotional scenes Explore themes like friendship, family, change, and courage through their own stories What Students Will Do Read and discuss short excerpts from Newbery Medal/Honor books Imitate writing styles through guided exercises and mentor texts Create original short stories, character monologues, or memory-based narratives Learn to revise for clarity, tone, and emotional impact Share selected work in a final “Young Author Showcase” Who This Course Is For Students in Grades 5–6 who love reading and want to write like real authors Young writers ready to move beyond plot to explore theme, voice, and style Families looking for a course that nurtures both writing skill and emotional expression Course Highlights Mentor text approach using excerpts from award-winning literature Weekly writing prompts inspired by Newbery themes and characters Feedback and revision time to grow each student’s unique writing voice Final portfolio project with 1–2 polished literary pieces
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