Writers Workshop Complete Mini Lesson Video

Summary

In this classroom discussion, the teacher guides students through the concept of identifying conflicts in the world, both external and internal. Using visual aids and real-life examples, students explore societal issues like discrimination, poverty, animal cruelty, and bullying. They also share personal experiences and observations to understand different conflicts they can use as inspiration for writing realistic fiction. The session emphasizes how writers collect ideas by reflecting on conflicts they've witnessed or experienced, encouraging students to generate their own lists and develop stories around these themes.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🏫 The teacher shows four photos to the students and asks them to identify the common theme, leading to discussions on societal issues like death, poverty, and pollution.
• 🌍 The photos are meant to depict problems in the world, sparking a conversation on global conflicts like homelessness, hunger, and animal cruelty.
• 📝 The teacher connects the discussion to realistic fiction writing, encouraging students to think about external and internal conflicts to generate story ideas.
• 🧒 The teacher shares a personal story about witnessing discrimination on a plane, using it as an example of societal conflict and discrimination.
• ✍️ Students are encouraged to brainstorm various conflicts they have witnessed in different settings, such as school, home, and society.
• 📚 The teacher highlights the importance of conflict in realistic fiction writing, suggesting that students can use real-world issues to inspire their stories.
• 🎒 In school settings, conflicts discussed include bullying, disrespect, and bad cafeteria food.
• 🏡 At home, examples include sibling fights and parental disagreements, with some students mentioning personal experiences.
• 🐾 Conflicts in society include homelessness, hunger, pollution, and animal cruelty, with students adding personal observations like child abuse and poverty.
• 🖊️ The teacher instructs students to make a list of conflicts they have witnessed, circle a few, and write short stories based on them, encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the script?

The main theme is conflicts in the world, especially those related to societal issues, and how these can inspire realistic fiction writing.

How does the teacher connect the concept of conflicts to writing?

The teacher explains that realistic fiction writers often collect ideas by thinking about conflicts they observe in the world, which can then be used as inspiration for stories.

What personal story does the teacher share to illustrate societal conflict?

The teacher shares a story about witnessing discrimination on a plane when a boy with autism introduced himself repeatedly to a woman, and the woman responded rudely and dismissively.

What are some examples of conflicts that the students mention in the classroom?

The students mention bullying, disrespect, foul language, conflicts between brothers and sisters, parents fighting, homelessness, hunger, pollution, animal cruelty, and social status issues.

How does the teacher define discrimination in this lesson?

The teacher defines discrimination as a conflict in society that can arise from differences like skin color, disabilities, body weight, and other personal characteristics.

What does the teacher encourage the students to do during the exercise?

The teacher encourages students to think of conflicts they have witnessed in different places—at home, school, or society—and write them down as inspiration for potential stories.

What type of conflicts does the teacher suggest might be found at home?

The teacher mentions conflicts like siblings fighting, parents arguing, and damage to the house, which are common domestic issues.

How does the teacher suggest the students expand on the conflicts they write down?

The teacher suggests that after writing a list of conflicts, students should circle one conflict and write a short story about it. They can then circle another and repeat the process.

What lesson does the teacher want the students to take away from the session?

The teacher wants students to remember that they can draw inspiration from real-world conflicts to create realistic fiction, encouraging them to observe the world around them for story ideas.

How does the teacher manage the classroom discussion during the exercise?

The teacher invites students to share ideas and examples of conflicts they have witnessed, encourages participation, and keeps the conversation focused on identifying and writing about conflicts.