Date: Online: Thursdays, January 16 – March 13
Format: ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Time: 4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. ET
Class Size: 8-10
Grade Level: 6th-8th grades
Most readers have heard and know of the story titled, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” written by Robert Southey in 1959. The bears found Goldilocks asleep in Baby Bear’s bed, after she had broken his chair and ate all his porridge. But, what if she wasn’t so innocent? Was the Big Bad Wolf in the other fairy tale really terrible to the three pigs? How about the Giant with Jack and that tall beanstalk or the old witch with Snow White?
In this class talented writers will rewrite a favorite or lesser known fairy tale from a different point of view, creating a fractured fairy tale. These fun stories will look at the plotline from different angles to create a funny new twist on old favorites.
Students with a strong love and knowledge of writing and language are encouraged to put their viewpoints and imaginations to work.
Parents/guardians: After registering your young writer for this class, information will be sent to invite everyone to an informal and optional Meet and Greet the Teacher online for ½ hour the Saturday before first class, via ZOOM. Additionally, students will need access to Google docs.
All enrolled students will have the opportunity to publish work in the 2025 issue of the National Writers Series’ literary journal.
About: Kelly Almer
Kelly Almer is a passionate life-long learner and teacher of 33+ years, all in public education. In her teaching career, she taught students in grades K-7, Gifted and Talented, and was an Instructional Coach.
Kelly lives to teach and can say her crowning achievement has been the joy of connecting with over 1,200 students during her career. She still substitute teaches every week in the district she retired from. She loves connecting with and helping students to uncover, discover, and develop their creative abilities to write. It isn’t unusual to find her seated on the floor of any learning space, in a huddle with six or more students, brainstorming and passionately supporting them while they craft their writing. Her experiences in the classroom and her “magic” to connect with every student she has taught, is a gift she treasures.
Kelly is the author of two books written for teachers: FlexEd: The Key To A Thriving Classroom, published in February 2022 and Flex Further: The Field Guide To A Thriving Classroom, published in February 2023. Both are available on Amazon. She is currently working on her third book, also for educators. Her teaching experiences have helped her as she is an educational consultant, supporting teachers thus far in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and California.
Kelly has shared and presented her passion for writing and the writing process to classrooms of students in grades 2-5. Her hands-on presentations capture every student ‘s attention along with her excitement. Students walk away refueled and ready to develop “that writing piece” they suddenly realize they can write. It isn’t unusual for students to email their manuscripts to her after she leaves, asking for further advise and support, which she gladly gives.
When Kelly isn’t teaching or writing, she spends time with her family in the Rocky Mountains, watercolor painting, taking walks, or riding her bike.
Registration Form