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About
Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs!
WHAT IS LUCK OF LEGENDS?
Luck of Legends classes help kids write not because they have to, but for the sheer joy of creation!
Role-playing is a fully immersive creative blend of game, improv, and writing. It's not just fun - my games are Common Core aligned and designed to teach, emphasizing non-violent problem-solving, teaching kids to out-talk, out-think, or out-maneuver challenges as heroes on a fantastic adventure. The format lets kids experience powerful and dramatic moments together, which can do something that's usually impossible online: allow for genuine relationships to grow. It also creates intrinsic motivation to write and learn, inspiring a real love of the creative process and the kind of practice that helps develop mastery.
WHAT WE'LL DO
In our first class, kids will decide together what sort of world and heroes they want to play - superheroes on Mars, goblins defending their swamp from a housing development, monster teens on their first day of high school, explorers in the depths of space - if they can imagine it, I can help them create it!
Once we’ve decided on a game world, we’ll begin making characters. Each student will answer questions to develop an alter-ego, complete with dreams, a drive, downfalls, pet peeves, heroic abilities, and relationships with other characters. I’ll teach the basics of how the game works – when to roll dice and how to resolve problems – and we’ll be ready to begin our epic adventures!
During the second hour, we’ll jump into the game, acting out parts of the story. Kids will improvise, act, collaborate, discuss, face challenges, and have to narratively describe how their characters navigate the epic world they’ve designed.
At the end of our session, we’ll take time to discuss what they’d like to write for the next class – they might – create a country or planet, describe a new creature, write a backstory about their character’s past, or plan for an upcoming event.Each student will have access to the Google Slides document where they’ll collectively write their stories, post pictures and drawings, and build their world together – and parents can sneak a peek, too, to get a taste of the fun!
In following classes, we will read aloud, edit, and celebrate your students’ work, then give out Story Points - a currency they'll use to change their characters, advance their abilities, and control the narrative during the game. The more they write, the more they'll earn, which creates a built-in incentive for investment in deeper work; I'll also encourage sharing of points to create equity if anyone hasn't been able to finish their story.
ACADEMIC FEEDBACK
I am a MA in Secondary Education with over two decades of curriculum development and classroom teaching experience. After each class, I provide an in-depth breakdown of student growth and skill for Common Core State Standards for editing, dialogue, first-person narratives, and speaking and presentation - specifically:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W. 3.3 - 7.3,
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W. 3.4 - 7.4,
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W. 3.5 - 7.5,
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W. 3.6 - 7.6,
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL. 3.1 - 7.1, and
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL. 3.5 - 7.5.
I only accept a minimum of 2 and max of 6 students, so every student receives focused coaching, attention, and a chance to shine.
Founded in 2020
Our Staff
I am a certified, live-scanned California teacher and I've been developing curriculum and teaching English, writing, and Japanese at the high school level for more than two decades. Prior to that, I worked in early education, teaching reading skills for the Institute of Reading Development and as a tutor for the Princeton Review. I have my MA in Secondary Education and a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan, along with an MA in Japanese from Washington University in St. Louis.
I've been designing and running story-telling games for kids in school and after school for years, which I combine with my classroom and curriculum design experience to develop games that cultivate a deep love of learning and daily practice of fundamental reading, writing, editing, and critical thinking skills.
I've presented on my approach at SXSW Edu and have an ongoing storytelling podcast at StoriesRPG.com - reach out with any questions!
Tax ID (EIN): 86-2759011
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Reviews
(18)
August 11, 2022
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Ranjit Raveendran
Verified Purchase
Mr. Low’s Luck of Legends was our 8-year old daughter’s highlight among this year’s summer camps. The content was uniquely structured in a way that allowed students to freely express & write about their character. The class had a fun and lively vibe throughout the week. We wish we were aware of these sessions sooner. We are looking forward to the upcoming ones this Fall!
Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs!
August 13, 2022
I'm so glad to hear it! I'll be setting up multiple sections this fall, and hopefully we'll be able to continue telling grand tales and watching the characters and worlds she's made grow, change, and deepen.
0 responses
August 9, 2022
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MC Zhou
Verified Purchase
This class much exceeds my expectation. My 8 year old daughter absolutely loves Luck of Legends. The instructor is engaging, inspiring and super fun. My daughter enjoys writing the stories even after the class and I think it's a great place to light the fire of creative writing.
Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs!
August 13, 2022
That's wonderful to hear - and ABSOLUTELY my goal! I'm very committed to helping kids see how transformative and engaging creating your own worlds and characters can be - to helping them become creators, not consumers. Hope to see your daughter again, soon - it's been a thrill working with her, and she's already grown so much as a writer! Her iconic line: "I'm ready to go jump on the bed!" was a wonderful way to celebrate the moments of high tension when a roll was about to be made!
(Role-Playing Game & Writing Camp)
August 8, 2022
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Rae Ridgway
Our 9 y.o. daughter could not get enough of this class! She had been dreading a daily Zoom 2-hr summer camp, but although this class is offered remotely, it is NOT your typical Zoom experience. In the sessions that I overheard, every kid in the room was excited and engaged. By the end of the week, she was practically begging if she could take this class again. She LOVED the story-telling experience and Mr. Low gave her exceptional freedom and trust while setting up conditions for storytellers to strive and thrive, learning through struggle. I was SO impressed with the strong character development I witnessed, not only of their fictional characters, but also in their growing egos and identities. I am confident that this experience helped to boost her self-esteem around writing, which had been badly damaged in the public education system. Although she goes to what is considered a top public school, her third grade teacher made her hate writing. Luck of Legends has helped to rehabilitate her self-confidence and hopefully helped her recognize that learning happens as part of a team, something that Mr. Low excels at building. If you want your kid to learn soft skills, sign them up up! If you want your kid to learn writing, sign them up! If you want to feed your kid's creative spark, sign them up! I guarantee you, they will achieve all three AND have fun doing it!!!
Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs!
August 8, 2022
My heart! As one parent to another, I know how much this means - thank you SO much for your kind words. For what it's worth, I think online education is often badly understood - Zoom meetings and classes can be incredibly effective social and academic experiences IF the tools are used the right way. The key is putting kids in the driver's seat, helping them create their own worlds and inviting them to build community with emotionally engaging play - honestly, I'm just thrilled to be working with such great tools and have been so happy I'm able to help the students I work with.
Your daughter has been an absolute rock-star, and I do hope we get the chance to keep working together this year. Thank you so much for your support!
Your daughter has been an absolute rock-star, and I do hope we get the chance to keep working together this year. Thank you so much for your support!
FAQ's
Is Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs! worth it?
Parents recommend Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs! and the average rating is 5 out of 5. Overall, the reviews indicate that Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs! provides engaging and enjoyable experiences for children.
What ages can go to Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs!?
Luck of Legends: Learning to Write Through RPGs! has camps for children ages 7 to 13. Age-appropriate activities are designed to engage and inspire children at different developmental stages.
Questions & Answers
My son is 6 1/2 but can read at 3rd or 4th grade level. However, he HATES writing. Can he take your course and do you think this would be helpful to create a love of writing?
(Role-Playing Game & Writing Camp) -
asked on Jun 30, 2020
Jul 01, 2020 - Michael M Low
Every kid is different, and a lot would depend on his interests (and making sure we got him into a game he was excited to play!). In my experience, a lot of the struggle and frustration in writing comes from a lack of motivation. My players tend to get excited to write new material for the game (alien species, new planets, etc.) because the game gets them inspired, and because their work leads to their characters getting new and improved in-game abilities! If you’re interested, I’d recommend signing up for one week, starting this coming Monday. You can join a first session and he can make a character, then if it’s of interest, keep going; if not, the sample session will be free! If he enrolls with friends, I can happily modify the game to meet his interests - take a look at the available topics for the sessions and see if any might be of particular interest. Thanks, and please feel free to reach out - I can give you contact info for other parents, and would also be happy to chat on the phone! -
Is there homework involved between sessions?
(Role-Playing Game & Writing Camp) -
asked on Jul 01, 2020
Jul 02, 2020 - Michael Low
Yes! Each day, we end the session by planning for the next - each student gets to pick a part of the story they want to prepare: design the alien planet the characters will travel to, describe the life cycle of the alien life form whose egg they've picked up, and so on. By the end of each week-long game, kids have built a world in a Google slides deck that parents can enjoy, too!
One of the parts that is most exciting is that it's homework that is purely positive - kids pick what they'll design, and the work is public, giving them a chance to read, collaborate, and connect outside the game. The social win of seeing their work read and celebrated is huge for most kids, and helps build the bonds that (as a teacher) I've noticed are usually lacking from online experiences. It also inspires kids to put in a little extra - there's no danger of any negative consequence, but plenty of opportunity for peer recognition and the fun of seeing their creations used in the game. A lot of kids end up writing much more than they're used to - and loving it! -
Hi my son is 8 year old in second grade. He has speech delay problem, which means his communication level is not up to his age. His interaction level is also not up to his age. But his thinking level is more than his age. Which means, when he creates his own toys and plays with it with by his stories but he cannot tell the same story to me when I ask to. During his play his narration is too good but he can’t do the same to me or in the class. Will this class be helpful to bring out or break the obstacles he has in interacting?
(Role-Playing Game & Writing Camp) -
asked on Dec 02, 2023
Is most of the writing done by hand or via typing? I see there is an image of a child writing by hand -- is that what the writing/homework looks like?
(Role-Playing Game & Writing Camp)
asked on Jun 26, 2023
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