From Family Tree to Story: Writing Historical Fiction
Give your child more than just writing skills—give them a connection to their own story. This 12-week course invites 4th–9th graders to become both historian and storyteller, learning how to research their family’s past and shape it into engaging historical fiction. Using brilliant curriculum from BrimWood Press, and with clear guidance, students uncover meaningful details about relatives, explore the times they lived in, and build the skills to write with both accuracy and imagination.
By the end of the program, your child won’t just have completed assignments—they’ll have authored a polished narrative centered on a real family member, a piece of writing worthy of being printed, bound, and treasured. Imagine your child holding a book they created, one that preserves family history while showcasing their voice and creativity. This course builds confidence, strengthens literacy skills, and produces something far more lasting than a grade: a story your family can return to for generations.
In partnership with BrimWood Press, this course incorporates one of their carefully curated titles to deepen students’ engagement. https://brimwoodpress.com/
From Family Tree to Story: Writing Historical Fiction
Format: Two 75-minute class sessions twice a week for six weeks during Summer Session, one 75-minute class session a week for twelve weeks during Autumn Session or Spring Session
In this engaging course for 4th–9th graders, students learn how to turn real family history into compelling stories. Using a relative or ancestor as inspiration, they’ll explore basic research methods—gathering information from interviews, documents, and other sources—and transform what they discover into vivid, well-structured narratives.
Step by step, students build essential writing skills: crafting strong openings, developing characters based on real people, shaping clear story arcs, and adding descriptive details that bring the past to life. They’ll also learn how to revise and edit their work for clarity, organization, and style, gaining confidence as independent writers.
Writing historical fiction from family history helps students connect personally to the past, making both writing and history more meaningful. It strengthens critical thinking, encourages curiosity, and shows students how facts and creativity can work together. By the end of the course, each student will have a polished, one-of-a-kind story rooted in their own family tree—something they can be proud to share and keep.