Creative Writing
Although aimed at my class 5,(10/11 year olds) with a little tweaking this lesson could be used at any grade. For younger groups, re-read some of the tales and have them work on their own book covers.
For older student, chose the more challenging posters.
The Challenge
Getting students writing again after the long holidays can be quite a challenge. Most of them seem to have forgotten everything they previously learned.
So, for the first while I like to focus on quality not quantity. That means a very carefully structured lesson - that is also engaging and creative.
I found these wonderful minimalist posters for popular children's books through Twitter and I'm going to use them as a springboard to a creative writing lesson early in the new school year.
Objective
To focus on the 'essence' of a well known story. This poster captures the idea very succinctly.
To share experiences of stories: in our multicultural classrooms, many children may not be familiar with traditional tales.
To recall the pleasures of being read to. First experiences of these stories were most likely through parents reading to children.
To capture that 'essence' visually and in the written form.
To encourage collaboration in pairs or small groups.
To lead to an appreciation of words as a limitless resource, yet each one must be chosen carefully thus bringing discipline to their creative writing.
To encourage collaboration in pairs or small groups.
To lead to an appreciation of words as a limitless resource, yet each one must be chosen carefully thus bringing discipline to their creative writing.
Preparation
Using the camera tool on my Interactive Whiteboard, I placed an image of one poster per page. I blocked out the title.
I also prepared a page, using a basic mind map diagram, so we could write in our own selection of book titles.
Whole Class Work
Using the camera tool on my Interactive Whiteboard, I placed an image of one poster per page. I blocked out the title.
I also prepared a page, using a basic mind map diagram, so we could write in our own selection of book titles.
Whole Class Work
Have fun deducing the name of the book from the poster. For this age group I have chosen 6 of the more obvious types and put in 2 more challenging posters.
The vocabulary focus is on words such as 'deduce', 'inspiration', 'essence' and phrases such as 'A picture is worth a thousand words'.
Discussion centres around recollection of favourite stories. Some children might summarise a story that other children are not familiar with.
Orally work on the back cover of one or two of the books - the 'blurb', emphasing how short, yet evocative this must be.
The vocabulary focus is on words such as 'deduce', 'inspiration', 'essence' and phrases such as 'A picture is worth a thousand words'.
Discussion centres around recollection of favourite stories. Some children might summarise a story that other children are not familiar with.
Orally work on the back cover of one or two of the books - the 'blurb', emphasing how short, yet evocative this must be.
Brainstorm
Have the children suggest other titles of books they are currently reading or fondly remember. Exploit the cultural diversity in your class.
Record these on the IWB Brainstorm page.
Group Work
Have the children work on a visual representation of one of the story titles.
You can then have them continue on to collaborate on a 'blurb' for the story. I restrict 10/11 year olds to a maximum of 250 words.
Reflect
Get the children's views on the challenge of producing a tightly worded blurb.
Guide them to consideration of writing as a discipline. Words should be considered, rejected, selected and recorded and not simply written.
Have the children suggest other titles of books they are currently reading or fondly remember. Exploit the cultural diversity in your class.
Record these on the IWB Brainstorm page.
Group Work
Have the children work on a visual representation of one of the story titles.
You can then have them continue on to collaborate on a 'blurb' for the story. I restrict 10/11 year olds to a maximum of 250 words.
or
Gather in their posters and scan them onto your IWB flipchart. The next class can be used to deduce the titles.or
Gather in the posters and randomly reallocate them. It is them the job of another group to write the 'blurb'.Reflect
Get the children's views on the challenge of producing a tightly worded blurb.
Guide them to consideration of writing as a discipline. Words should be considered, rejected, selected and recorded and not simply written.
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