Halloween Creative Writing SoW - 'The Haunted Pen'

The Haunted Pen: Creative Writing Scheme of Work

This six-lesson creative writing scheme, entitled The Haunted Pen, is designed to engage Key Stage 2 or 3 students in the art of spooky storytelling. Each lesson builds upon the last, guiding students through the process of crafting their own chilling narratives, developing their skills in creating atmosphere, character, and setting.

1. Lesson 1: Spooky Story Starters
   The first lesson introduces students to the world of horror writing with differentiated sentence starters that suit a range of abilities. These prompts are designed to spark their imaginations and get them thinking about the themes of fear, suspense, and the supernatural. Students are encouraged to brainstorm and share ideas, setting the tone for the scheme.

2. Lesson 2: Creepy Character Profiles
   In this lesson, students dive into character creation, exploring what makes a truly terrifying villain or mysterious protagonist. You’ll provide them with examples of well-thought-out character profiles, helping them understand how to craft detailed, eerie characters. Students then create their own spooky characters, which will be key elements in their final story.

3. Lesson 3: Scary Setting Description
   This lesson focuses on the power of setting in horror. Using two model answers you’ve written, students will compare and contrast the effectiveness of each description—discussing why one is strong and how the other improves upon it. After this analysis, the class will embark on a virtual tour of a haunted house through an embedded VR video, providing an immersive experience to inspire their own setting descriptions.

4. Lesson 4: Haunted House Audio Drama
   Shifting to an audio medium, students will write a script for a haunted house scene. They will record their scripts as a class, focusing on how dialogue and sound can enhance the fear factor. This lesson emphasizes the power of voice and sound effects in building tension, offering a different way to explore their stories.

5. Lesson 5: The Final Piece
   In this penultimate lesson, students bring together everything they’ve worked on—creepy characters, spooky settings, and a compelling story structure—to write their final haunted tale. They’ll use what they’ve learned about tension, pacing, and atmosphere to create a cohesive, spine-chilling narrative.

6. Lesson 6: Sharing the Frights
   The final lesson is dedicated to peer review and sharing. Students will have the opportunity to read or listen to each other’s stories, offering feedback and celebrating the creative results of their hard work.

The Haunted Pen encourages students to explore creative writing in a fun, seasonal way, while developing key literacy skills through differentiated activities, multimedia resources, and peer collaboration. This scheme is perfect for unlocking their imaginations and making the art of writing exciting and memorable