Storytellers 6-week Bootcamp, SPRING 2026, 5th-8th

$200 covers the entire course. Additional materials recommended but not required.

Times and dates subject to change if you purchase this class before April 1st, 2026.

Thursdays @ 9am CST (Each class will last 60-75 minutes.)

April 23, 30, & May, 7, 14, 21, 28

Student Minimum: 4

Instructor Simmons

Once you purchase the class and fill out THIS REGISTRATION FORM, we will email you the Google Classroom code. That's where you'll find your link to Zoom, etc. If you register fewer than 24 hours before the first class starts, the class recording will be made available to you. Contact us if you wish to begin later in the semester. 

Suggested age: 10-14.

Suggested Material (optional): Portable Walls for Structure and Style

(This is an affiliate link. Read more here.)

This bootcamp is the perfect bootcamp for students who have previous experience with the IEW writing method and would love to spend six weeks flexing their creative muscles. Throughout this course, students will learn how storytelling and structure are related and how storytelling is enhanced by structure. Each week, students will be challenged to imagine and develop tales inspired by fables, literature, and their own imaginations. While prior IEW experience is recommended, it is not required. If your child has no prior IEW experience, please contact us to schedule a 30-minute Key Word Outline Basics private lesson prior to the start of bootcamp. 

A printable PDF will be provided for use during this course. No additional curriculum is required, but the purchase of the Structure and Style Portable Walls is highly recommended (linked above).

Week 1 -  Key Word Outlining & the Story Sequence Model

In the first week, students focus on the basics of key word outlining. They learn to analyze a source text, identify key words, extract essential facts, and highlight interesting details. These skills lay the groundwork for essay writing and storytelling. 

In addition, students explore creative writing by transforming a classic fable through detail. Using the fable as a framework, students craft their own unique stories by adding depth and detail to the original tale. 

Week 2 - Story Sequence Model

This week, students explore creative writing by reimagining a classic fable through fresh characters and a unique setting. Using the fable as a framework, students craft their own unique stories.

Week 3 - Story Sequence Model

This week, students explore creative writing by reimagining a classic fable through fresh conflict. Using the fable as a framework, students craft their own unique stories by taking the original characters on a new adventure.

Week 4 - Writing from Pictures

Students learn to analyze a set of images, determine the central fact or main idea communicated, and create an imaginative story that follows the progression of each image.

Week 5 - Writing from Pictures

For our second week of the Writing from Pictures unit, students are challenged to imagine and create their own images before constructing a story that follows the development of their image series.

Week 6 - Popcorn & Presentations

Students are encouraged to arrive for our final week prepared to share their creations. Each student will have the opportunity to present a story written during this bootcamp.

To see instructor credentials, check out our FAQ page.

Online classes meet via Zoom.

If a student is unable to complete the class for some reason, they will still have access to the videos. :)