Writing to Explain in an interesting way

Writing an Explanation – The Leather Football.
This resource is especially designed to engage the interest of the students and intrigue them in such a way as they will want to offer their own explanation.
Their explanation can then be written out and then read out.
Important point when delivering and managing this resource: While you read the story to them make sure that they have their own written copy to refer back to. When you ask them for an explanation there is usually a lot of enthusiasm from a few to immediately tell you what they think. But I have found that to get the best written outcomes from the most students you say this to your class:
“I can see that you listened well to that and thanks for listening. Now, I can also see that some of you are keen to give me their explanations right away. Now, although you listened well I would like you all to quietly, in your head, read it through again to yourselves. Then, when I give this signal (hold up a football) I would like you all to spend some time talking quietly to your partner about what you think the explanation is then, when I give another signal (hold up the ball again) it is very important that you stop talking and start writing out your explanation. I want to hear a few read out later but I would like them to be well thought out and not rushed. I’m looking forward to hearing them.”
Notes:

1. Everybody gets a chance to contribute.
2. Everybody gets a chance to think about it before they write.
3. The reading of the story to themselves quietly is most important as many may not have taken it all in when you read it to them initially.
4. The short discussion with each other helps to manage the energy levels as those who are keen to talk can do so but in a managed way that does not dominate the class.
5. The insistence on them writing it helps their practice of writing out clear explanations.
6. Holding up a leather football as the signal has a very dramatic effect, not least because a physical football is a cherished item for many students. I don’t know why it works so well but I have found that it does have an authority about it especially in its physical link to the key image in the story.