MIDDLE GRADE TRACK SCHEDULE
Writing for the Middle Grader
Bonnie Bader & Lin Oliver
June 20, 2009

9:00–9:30 am
General assembly/introduction

9:30–9:45 am
Welcome, brief introduction, and overview

9:45–10:45 am
Looking at character

10:45–11:00 am
Break

11:00–12:00 am
Plotting it Out

12:00–1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00–2:30 pm
Talking It Out -- Dialogue

2:30–3:00 pm
Wrap-up & Questions

3:00–3:15 pm
Break

3:15–4:30 pm
First page critiques

4:30–5:00 am
General assembly/closure

Notes:
For this session, we would like the students to come prepared with the following:

A one-paragraph character sketch of your main character
A good character sketch can contain the following:

Character Name
Age
Gender
Where does the character live?
What does his/her bedroom look like?
Favorite color
Favorite number
Favorite food
Clothing style
Special sayings
Superstitions
Quirks
Family members
Friends
Enemies
Pets
Physical characteristics
Emotional characteristics
Does this character have any special abilities?
What makes this character unique?
Why would anyone care about this character?

In the “character” section of the class, each student will read their sketch, and Bonnie and Lin will give constructive feedback.

A page that describes the essential plot element of your story. Each student will read and Bonnie and Lin will give constructive feedback.