At a glance info:
✏️ Low-pressure, fun environment— great for enthusiastic writers and reluctant writer’s alike.
✏️ New challenges each week— join for just one session, or stay for a while!
✏️ Fantastic for kids who struggle getting started with stories.
✏️ Taught by real authors!
Examples of Three Minute Challenge stories:
Topics: Cake and Fortresses
"The witch had worked in a variety of mediums—gingerbread, cookies, candy—and yet the cake fortress was no doubt her finest work. Sure, the gingerbread house was effective—it had lured in Hansel and Gretel after all—but the cake fortress was more spacious and, if the witch were being honest with herself, she rather liked the scent of buttercream frosting. There was just one problem, though: every time it rained, the exterior wall would collapse into the chocolate ganache moat."
Topics: Robots and Squirrels
"The robots had easily overpowered the humans—they were slow, couldn’t fly, and were always looking at their phones rather than at their impending doom. Now, however, the robots were up against the world’s most formidable force—the common gray squirrel. There were thousands of them, and the squirrels roamed in packs, taking refuge in trees and dropping bombs made of acorns and dynamite, shaking their tails at the robots in furry mockery."
The Three Minute Challenge (Ages 10 and Under)
$15 per session
Born of one of my absolute favorite creative writing class exercises, this short class is perfect for students with big imaginations, students who tend to overanalyze their work, and students who just need a creative kick in the butt to get started.
The teacher draws two totally random words or topics—like whales, ghosts, high heels, Italian restaurants, the last day of school, ponies, explosions, or the King of Spain. We then each write a three-sentence story that includes both topics in three minutes or less!
My students and I love this exercise because it helps calm the anxieties of perfectionists, focus the minds of dreamers, and encourage the minds of both to run with their first creative instincts. Stories are sometimes ridiculous, sometimes genius, but always fun to share. Students will receive light feedback on their piece, but the focus of the class is to get minds moving and forge new creative paths.
This class is a great supplement to other English or Creative Writing courses, especially for students who may need reminding just how fun writing can be. It is suitable for all writing experience levels! This class does tend to go a bit longer than scheduled at times—students are absolutely free to leave at the thirty-minute mark if they need to.
Are you a charter, microschool, or co-op interested in private small group classes? Send me an message to discuss creating a private session for your learners!