Classroom Support for Purpose Driven Writing

Motivating and inspiring Story Ninja lesson units from The Young Writers Institute on essays, reports, personal narratives, creative writing and more

with award-winning author Sigmund Brouwer and an amazing group of established and diverse authors

shared journaling with authors

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live virtual classes

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self-paced writing lessons with activities

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virtual classrooms visits

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shared journaling with authors 〰️ live virtual classes 〰️ self-paced writing lessons with activities 〰️ virtual classrooms visits 〰️

CLICK HERE to try free the Fun and Fearless Writing foundation class — an engaging lesson on editing with Sigmund Brouwer along with Wanda Taylor and Wali Shah. This is a typical half-hour lesson, which has three segments: Rest of Story, Thoughts on Paper shared journaling, and teaching points to help motivate student writing. The complete lesson module guides students through the entire editing process with piece of writing provided for them to polish. Sign up here for all seven self-paced recorded lessons for $19 (instead of $39) with the promo code: FEARLESS19.

Tap into the power of story to discover how purpose-driven writing transforms students at any level into Story Ninjas

With the Story Ninja program, you can share live virtual and self-paced lessons from author Sigmund Brouwer — along with other authors and artists — to help inspire your students. (Plus access ebooks and audiobooks that your students can download at any time.)

You can use the lessons when you are teaching a group of students, or give your students direct access to the links to suit any schedule that you have.

One of the primary benefits for students is learning how to create great content from established authors, giving them extra purpose and excitement for all types of writing.

The Story Ninja approach also encourages students to write without fear of mistakes and helps them understand that writing is an amazing tool that serves them (not vice-versa).

From creative writing to reports, essays, and personal narratives, sign up for any one of 16 lesson units, either with live virtual classes or recorded on-demand lessons to use at your own pace.

For the best of both worlds — in-person and virtual — combine the program with an in-person Story Ninja presentation.

Are you a classroom teacher looking for support and motivation to complement your teaching methods of essays, reports, narratives and creative writing for both keen and reluctant writers?

It’s one of the best, if not the best thing, I’ve done for my language arts programming in 17, 18 years of teaching. It can make all the difference.
— Kelly Friesen, Rockyview School Division
My online students are enthusiastic about the lessons with Sigmund, who has built a fantastic rapport with them.
— Kent Clegg, Prairie South School Division

Meet your classroom creativity co-teachers!

A former television and radio producer and host, Lorna Schulz Nicholson has published over 30 books, including children's picture books, middle grade, YA fiction and sports non-fiction, with books with NHL stars Connor McDavid and PK Subban. Contact Lorna for information about a classroom or school presentation.

With Indian Treaty Status as a member of Treaty 6 Mistawasis Hehiyawak, Cree artist Liz Buller Page makes it her goal to share the beautiful art and culture of the Plains Cree. Her works are in fine galleries across Canada, and her drawings are part of the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan. Contact Liz for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Lana Button is an award winning picture book author and a passionate early childhood educator with over 30 years experience. With picture books shortlisted for numerous awards, she inspires children across Canada with presentations about perseverance, empathy and anti-bullying. Contact Lana for information about a classroom or school presentation.

As a Métis writer, Jacqueline Guest’s award winning books deliver main characters from different ethnic backgrounds including First Nations, Inuit or Metis, where they face issues common to every child such as bullying, blended families and physical challenges and are strong role models for today’s youth.  Contact Jacqueline for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Mat Cardinal, from Bigstone Cree Nation, Wabasca/Demarais, AB is the lead singer of The Prairie States, seven-time Country Music Alberta Awards, and is currently recording a new album with Juno and CCMA award-winning producer Bart McKay. Contact Mat for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Guyanese-Canadian author Natasha Deen writes for all ages. Her novels include In the Key of Nira Ghani, (Amy Mathers’ Teen Book Award), and The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad (A Globe and Mail Top 100 Read of 2022). She teaches writing courses at the University of Toronto’s SCS. Contact Natasha for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Wanda Taylor is an award-winning journalist, professor, and author of fiction and non-fiction titles across children’s and adult markets. Her middle grade non-fiction book, Birchtown and the Black Loyalists, is listed as one of the top Black History Month books for kids. Her recent release of The Grover School Pledge and its conversation guide is a favourite among teachers for introducing themes of diversity and acceptance to young readers. Contact Wanda for information about a classroom or school presentation.

As the bestselling author of dozens of titles, with over 4 million books in print in multiple languages, Sigmund Brouwer has won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Young-Adult Mystery in Canada, as well as being a finalist twice in the TD Children's Literature Awards, along with multiple other literary awards. Contact Sigmund for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Author of the critically acclaimed middle-school novel Call Me Al about an immigrant facing anti-Muslim racism, Wali Shah is an alumni of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants. He has delivered TED Talks and once closed out a keynote speech made by President Barack Obama. Contact Wali for information about a classroom or school presentation.

Mireille Messier écrit.
Elle écrit pour les petits et les grands. Elle écrit des livres, des articles et des scénarios pour la télé. Elle écrit en français et en anglais. Elle écrit à Toronto, où elle habite avec son conjoint, ses deux grands enfants et ses cinq chats super poilus! Lorsqu’elle n’écrit pas, Mireille lit. Beaucoup!. Contact Mireille for information about a classroom or school presentation.

With purpose driven writing, every Story Ninja lesson is developed to first motivate both keen and reluctant writers, then deliver teaching points to complement what you do in the classroom.

Lessons are formatted with professional broadcast software.

Live classes are in a safe and secure webinar format, allowing for lively monitored discussions through the chat box and Q&A.

Schedule for Live Virtual Classes for 2023/2024 School Year:

2023

  • Personal Narratives: September 15-October 6

  • Expository Writing: October 13-November 3

  • Persuasive Writing: November 10-December 1

  • Creative Writing: December 8, 12, 15, 19

  • English Language Learner Six-Week Course: November 3-December 8

2024

  • Personal Narratives: January. 26-February 16

  • Expository Writing: February 23-March 8

  • Persuasive Writing: March 15-April 12

  • Creative Writing: April 26-May 17

  • English Language Learner Six-Week Course:

    January 26-March 1

  • English Language Learner Six Week Course: March 8 - April 12

Lesson Unit Format

  • as a recorded unit

  • or with live virtual classes

Broadcast the half-hour lessons from the smartboard to your entire class, or give students access on individual devices.

Each unit includes five lessons, writing activities, and an e-book collection for students and teachers.

For the convenience of scheduling lessons at your own place, the recorded units make all lessons immediately available for classroom use.

If you prefer the engagement of live classes, each week of the four-week course includes one live class on Fridays and one asynchronous lesson, plus two introductory recorded lessons. If you miss a live class, it is available later in the week as a recording.

Classroom Lesson Units.

Classroom Lesson Units.

Choose live virtual sessions or recorded self-paced lessons. Or both!

Individual lesson units are $39 for a classroom.

Or sign up your classroom for the entire program for $199 to access all live virtual class and all 16 lesson units.

Friday Live Virtual Class Times (half hour lessons)

Grades 3-4

PST: 9:45 a.m.

MST: 10:45 a.m.

CST: 11:45 a.m.

EST: 12:45 p.m.

AST: 1:45 p.m

Grades 5-6

PST: 10:30 a.m.

MST: 11:30 a.m.

CST: 12:30 p.m.

EST: 1:30 p.m.

AST: 2:30 p.m

Grades 7-8

PST: 9:00 a.m.

MST: 10:00 a.m.

CST: 11:00 a.m.

EST: 12:00 p.m.

AST: 1:00 p.m

English Language Learners

PST: 8:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.

MST: 9:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.

CST: 10:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m.

EST: 11:15 a.m. or 2:15 a.m.

AST: 12:15 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.

  • Creative Writing

    Four live virtual half-hour classes to guide students to complete their own short story. See above for class start times.

    Chose the live virtual course on these dates:

    December 8. 12. 15. 19

    or

    Fridays, April 26-May 17

    (A self-paced recorded module is available below to use at any time.)

  • Essay Writing

    Four live virtual half-hour classes to guide students to complete an essay or opinion piece. See above for class start times.

    Chose the live virtual course on these Fridays:

    November 10-December 1

    or

    March 15-April 12

    (A self-paced recorded module is available below to use at any time.)

  • Expository Writing

    Four live virtual half-hour classes to guide students to complete a non-fiction piece. See above for class start times.

    Chose the live virtual course on these Fridays:

    February 23-March 8

    (A self-paced recorded module is available below to use at any time.)

  • Personal Narrative

    Four live virtual half-hour classes to guide students to complete a personal narrative. See above for class start times.

    Chose the live virtual course on these Fridays:

    January 26-February 16

    (A self-paced recorded module is available below to use at any time.)

  • ELL

    For English Language Learners, this six-week course guides students to share a personal narrative..

    Choose the live virtual course on these Fridays:

    Nov 3-Dec 6, 2023

    Jan 26-March 1, 2024

    March 8-April 12

    (A self-paced recorded module is available to use at any time)

  • Creative Writing

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit. Students work with the authors to complete their own short story

  • Essay/Opinion Writing

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students work with the authors to complete an amazing essay

  • Expository Writing/Reports

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students work with the authors for complete a non-fiction piece about their favourite subject

  • Personal Narrative

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students work with the authors to complete a personal narrative

  • ELL

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit for English Language Learners to complete a personal narrative.

  • Terrific Storyific

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit for Grades 1-3 to write and illustrate their own picture book

  • Sacred Fires

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit on art and song-writing from Liz Buller Page and Mat Cardinal

  • Thoughts On Paper

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students do shared journaling with authors

  • Editing

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students get the author perspective on the importance of editing and how to be relaxed about it

  • Writing Components

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit with perspectives on sentence structure, paragraphs, tone, figures of speech and more

  • Memoir Writing

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit where students interview a family member from a different generation and turn it into a memoir piece

  • Provincial Achievement Test Prep

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit or scheduled live classes to help grade 6 and 9 students in Alberta prepare for the PAT

  • A collection of lessons from all the authors

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit

  • Story Ninja Principles, Part One

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit about developing compelling content for essays, reports, personal narratives and creative writing

  • Story Ninja Principles, Part Two

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit on the writing process

  • Story Ninja Principles, Part Three

    On-demand self-paced lesson unit on an approach to the importance of conventions in writing