Grades 6–8
60+ Minutes
Narrative
VideosSarah Richman is a writer, author, and poet based in Washington, DC. Her poetry and prose are published across the United States and Scotland, including two for-hire science fiction books for kids, The Cheat and Family Ties. Sarah holds Creative Writing and International Studies degrees from Macalester College, where she also wrote sketch comedy. She likes good tea and bad movies. To learn more about Sarah, visit sarahrichmanwriter.com.
You will learn how to develop an authentic character to use in your next story.
STEP 1 Begin by watching the video. Then, answer this prompt in your writing journal: “Design a basic character that you can develop in this lesson. For example: “Twelve-year-old boy who loves art” STEP 2 Next, you’ll begin developing the basic character you just created by answering questions about them. On pages 2-6 of the Character Choices—Handouts, you will see a box with a single question in it. These questions will help you bring the basic character you just designed to life. Before you start filling out the handouts, read all 5 questions and choose at least 3 that you’d...
by Jason Reynolds
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."
by 826 National
Author Carter Higgins reads "Pickup Lines Cheesier Than Cheddar," a piece written by fifth-grader Uma (826NYC).
by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8
In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.
by Emily Harding
Author and TV producer, Emily Harding shows side characters some love in this writing prompt.
by 826 National, featuring Nayeli Karunasekara, grade 6, Michigan
Through reading a Mentor Text, students learn more about the types of point of view and how different points of view impact their writing.
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a character and show how a character would respond in a specific situation by writing dialogue, resulting in a silly scene.
by 826 National, featuring Eloise Combs, Grade 3, Michigan
Not all poems have to rhyme, but when they do, they generally use “rhyme scheme.” In this lesson, students will write a poem with a unique sound and rhyme scheme.
by Daniel Handler
Author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, shows there are no limits to imagination with this interviewing activity.
by Soeun Lee, Grade 8, Tenafly, New Jersey
In this poem, a student observes a dove's flight and reflects on their ability to soar.
by 826 National, featuring Soeun Lee, Grade 8, NJ
In this lesson, you will create poems that look completely different from poems you have written before!
by 826 National
Author and illustrator Lisa Brown reads "Owl Girl. In this lesson, you will write a superhero story that introduces your character and establishes the context for your reader.
by 826 National, featuring Isaac Reynolds, Grade 6
What’s the moral of the story? In this lesson, students practice identifying and summarizing a moral in a fable written by a sixth grader.
by Charlotte Yeung
Midwest Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador, Charlotte Yeung, shares one of her favorite brainstorming strategies for creating a new piece.
by 826 National
Author Tom Perrotta reads "Peter, Who Went on the Best Adventure Ever." In this lesson, you will learn about 3 shapes that will help the events of your story unfold naturally.
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador
Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.
by Amanda Dettmann, 826NYC
Poet and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amanda Dettmann, shares a simple and fun writing prompt that asks the question, "How Did You Get There?"
by 826 National
Award-winning documentarian and journalist,Soledad O'Brien, shares about why she loves her job and how she builds credibility out in the field through thorough research.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.
by Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children, illustrates how to end a story...or not.
by 826 National, featuring Kaiden Griggs, Grade 6
In this lesson, students will identify the main idea and supporting details of an informational text and summarize this idea objectively.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.
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