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English language arts
Creative Writing Prompts
Truth is stranger than fiction. Inspire your students (or make them laugh) with creative writing prompts curated from real news headlines.
Learning objectives:
Generating ideas, planning and drafting
Reading and engaging with a wide and varied range of texts
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Differentiation opportunities:
Ask students to find a headline they want to write a story about
You can create your own favourite creative writing prompts from headlines. It’s easy to pull up the day’s news and take quick screenshots. All my students enjoy this activity. It can help them write realistic / fiction about a topic they are interested in.
Creative Writing Prompts - The Sequel
Fiction often reveals truth. Inspire your students (make them laugh, or empathise) with more creative writing prompts curated from real news headlines.
Learning objectives:
Generating ideas, planning and drafting
Reading and engaging with a wide and varied range of texts
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Differentiation opportunities:
Ask students to find a headline they want to write a story about
You can create your own favourite creative writing prompts from headlines. It’s easy to pull up the day’s news and take quick screenshots. All my students enjoy this activity. It can help them write realistic / fiction about a topic they are interested in.
At The Beach : Printables for class activities
Dive into these printables with your class as you head to the beach. You can almost feel the salt spray on your face and smell the wide ocean…
Printables include
5 Senses at the beach
Memory Game
Diary template
Yummy lunch template
Story planner
Simple Mind Map (with prompts)
These printables were created by children’s author and tutor Claire Vorster. Enjoy!
Antihero Poster
This free antihero poster can be used to generate class discussion or writing activities. Your students could make a similar antihero poster for a character they are studying.
You will find bundled creative writing lessons here to help students discover how a character’s flaws or mistakes can become the engine for an electrifying plot. Your students can learn to -
• Craft compelling, honest, potentially hilarious characters using techniques including psychology.
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• See that it’s good for a story when nothing goes according to plan.
• Add a rough edge to the over-perfect characters that can make a story too obvious.
• Use a secret weapon when they are looking for character inspiration.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Realistic Fiction: Structure, Planning & Writing Lessons _14 to 18 yrs
With the right plot, your students can write confident and realistic narrative
pieces. Using these bundled lessons your students will discover techniques to
help them write stronger, more authentic stories. They will learn to -
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• Find great stories in the places they may least expect them.
• Understand the importance of having a secret story that drives their
characters.
• Create tension for the reader by escalating the stakes in their story.
• Discover what heavy weight boxing champion Muhammad Ali said about
defeat, and how it can help more than they think.
Activities
Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills
and strategies
Resources included in this plan
Story Mountain for Advanced Climbers
Reading and Comprehension Activities
Mini and Comprehensive Writing Activities
Famous quotes for discussion
Literary examples
Online resource links
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions. Thank you!
Hero or Antihero? 4 Creative Writing Activities_15 to 18 yrs
With the right tools, your students can write confident and compelling narrative pieces. These four activities will help students to discover how a character’s flaws or mistakes can become the engine for an electrifying plot. Your students will learn to -
• Craft compelling, honest, potentially hilarious characters using techniques including psychology.
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• See that it’s good for a story when nothing goes according to plan.
• Add a rough edge to the over-perfect characters that can make a story too obvious.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions.
Activities
Speaking and listening, reading comprehension, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this plan
Reading and Comprehension Activities
Mini and Comprehensive Writing Activities
Famous quotes for discussion
Literary examples
Story prompts
Story planner for students
Online resource links
Setting and Mood: Creative Writing Activities_15 to 18 yrs
Your students can create a compulsive plot and compelling characters, but their attention to detail in constructing where their stories takes place can make or break the narrative. These bundled lessons apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills, Your students will learn to -
• Bridge information with imagination to create fiction that builds credibility.
• Understand how settings can act as secondary characters in their stories.
• Layer a sense of place into every scene that they write.
• Use a secret weapon to uncover great ideas for a story.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Activities
Speaking and listening, reading comprehension, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this plan
Reading and Comprehension Activities
Mini and Comprehensive Writing Activities
Famous quotes for discussion
Literary examples
Story prompts
Story planner for students
Online resource links
Create Engaging Characters: 12 Creative Writing Activities & Printables
From Sherlock Holmes to Mary Poppins, some characters stay with readers far beyond the
final page. These 12 activities will help your students to master the techniques required to create memorable and complex characters. Your students will learn to:
• Bring characters to life using key details that contribute to their experience and journey.
• Create a storytelling style that fits their unique characters.
• Keep their character’s journey at the heart of their narrative.
• Avoid the mistakes that turn readers off.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources include
Range of activities
Visual character prompts
Examples of characterisation
Discussion starters
Comprehension questions
Online resource links
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions. Many thanks!
Hero or Antihero? Creative Writing Lessons & Resources_15 to 18 yrs
With the right tools, your students can write confident and compelling narrative pieces. These bundled lessons apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills, Students will discover how a character’s flaws or mistakes can become the engine for an electrifying plot. Your students will learn to -
• Craft compelling, honest, potentially hilarious characters using techniques including psychology.
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• See that it’s good for a story when nothing goes according to plan.
• Add a rough edge to the over-perfect characters that can make a story too obvious.
• Use a secret weapon when they are looking for character inspiration.
Activities
Speaking and listening, reading comprehension, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this plan
Reading and Comprehension activities
Mini and Comprehensive writing activities
Famous quotes for discussion
Literary examples
Story prompts
Story planner for students
Online resource links
Plus
Bonus Antihero poster
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Create Engaging Characters: Creative Writing Lessons & Resources_15 to 18yrs
From Sherlock Holmes to Mary Poppins, some characters stay with readers far beyond the final page. This bundled lesson guide will help your students to master the techniques required to create memorable and complex characters. Your students will learn to:
Bring characters to life using key details that contribute to their experience and journey.
Create a storytelling style that fits their unique characters.
Keep their character’s journey at the heart of their narrative.
Avoid the mistakes that turn readers off.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources include
Range of activities
Visual character prompts
Examples of characterisation
Discussion starters
Comprehension questions
Online resource links
Please contact Claire Vorster with any questions. Many thanks!
Create Engaging Characters: Creative Writing Lessons & Resources _11 to 14yrs
From Sherlock Holmes to Mary Poppins, some characters stay with readers far beyond the final page. This bundled lesson guide will help your students to master the techniques required to create memorable and complex characters. Your students will learn to:
Bring characters to life using key details that contribute to their experience and journey.
Create a storytelling style that fits their unique characters.
Keep their character’s journey at the heart of their narrative.
Avoid the mistakes that turn readers off.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources include
Range of activities
Visual character prompts
Examples of characterisation
Discussion starters
Comprehension questions
Online resource links
Please contact Claire Vorster with any questions. Many thanks!
Bundle
Creative Writing Uber Bundle for 12-14yrs
This Creative Writing Bundle reflects a significant discount and is packed with successful lesson plans, printables, writing prompts and online resources to help your students build on existing skills lesson by lesson. Your students will learn how to -
• Develop a solid plot structure.
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• Get tools to keep their stories clear and on track.
• Discover how to use a writing prompt to find their starting point.
• Remove the fear from the thought of writing a whole story.
• Beat writer’s block. Discover the technique that award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin uses to make a great start, every time.
Activities
Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Writing narratives, considering how authors have developed characters and settings
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this bundle
Story Mountain
Story Mountain for Advanced Climbers
Images - Flood, Worst Hotel
Reading - Why should I plan?
Reading / Ranking Activities
Activity Sheets
Story prompts
Images (copyright free)
Quotes and song lyrics
Teaching Guide
Printables
12 Curated images + story prompts
Story planner
Online resource links
And many more
All my students enjoy these activities. The lessons and resources build confidence, help them generate ideas and practice creating effective story plots, characters and settings.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources or with any questions. Many thanks!
Setting and Mood: Creative Writing Mini Activities_15 to 18 yrs
These mini creative writing activities help students to add authentic details when constructing where their stories takes place.
You will find a fabulous bundle of creative writing lessons here. They apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills, These lessons will help your students to create realistic settings that elevate and sharpen any story.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Bundle
Christmas Survival Kit for 6-9 yrs: Lesson Plans, Activities, Fun Stuff
This Christmas Bundle is packed with successful lesson plans, printables, writing prompts and online resources. The Bundle includes:
A Christmas Carol Kit - Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean-spirited old man who hates everything - even Christmas! But when three spirits visit him one Christmas Eve, Scrooge is taken on a journey into the past, present and future that will change him forever. These four simple and engaging lesson plans and activities contain all the resources you need to turn up, engage, and teach this fantastic story.
The Lighthouse Keepers Christmas Kit includes four lesson plans plus all the resources you need to turn up, engage, and teach this fantastic story. Lessons include listening and speaking, comprehension, writing, art and a memory game. Delicious!
Includes
Full Lessons Plans
Learning Outcomes
Printables
Sequencing activity
Story Mountain
Story Planner
Worksheets
Online resources
These lessons are written by children’s author and tutor Claire Vorster. Enjoy!
Bundle
Creative Writing Super Bundle for 15-18yrs
This Creative Writing Bundle reflects a 60% discount and is packed with successful lesson plans, printables, writing prompts and online resources to help your students build on existing skills lesson by lesson. Your students will learn how to -
• Develop a solid plot structure.
• Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft.
• Get tools to keep their stories clear and on track.
• Discover how to use a writing prompt to find their starting point.
• Remove the fear from the thought of writing a whole story.
• Beat writer’s block. Discover the technique that award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin uses to make a great start, every time.
Activities
Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Writing narratives, considering how authors have developed characters and settings
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this bundle
Story Mountain
Story Mountain for Advanced Climbers
Images - Flood, Worst Hotel
Reading - Why should I plan?
Reading / Ranking Activities
Activity Sheets
Story prompts
Images (copyright free)
Quotes and song lyrics
Teaching Guide
Printables
12 Curated images + story prompts
Story planner
Online resource links
All my students enjoy these activities. The lessons and resources build confidence, help them generate ideas and practice creating effective story plots, characters and settings.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources or with any questions. Many thanks!
Writing Dialogue: Mini Activities_15 to 18 yrs
These mini creative writing activities help students to explore what informs and motivates their characters’ dialogue. Students will also learn how to punctuate and format correctly, before they start tearing their hair out!
You will find a fabulous bundle of creative writing lessons here. They apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills, They will help your students create realistic dialogue that elevates and sharpens any story.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Creative Writing Mini Activity - Hero or Antihero? 15 to 18 yrs
This creative writing activity will help students to discover how a character’s flaws or mistakes can become the engine for an electrifying plot.
You will find a fabulous bundle of creative writing lessons here. They apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills, These lessons will help your students to create believable characters that inhabit confident and compelling narrative pieces.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.
Visual Creative Writing Prompts Kit: 11-14 years Kit: 15-18 years
Every great picture packs an unforgettable story, but which one? With this adaptable Visual Story Starter Kit, your students can choose from 12 curated creative writing prompts. Each image is designed to inspire your students, and help them to write from the heart.
Includes
Teaching Guide
Printables
12 Curated images + story prompts
Story planner
Learning objectives
Writing
Generating ideas, planning and drafting
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Writing narratives, considering how authors have developed characters and settings
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Differentiation opportunities
Ask students to find an image they want to write a story about.
With the flexible Story Starter Kit you can create your activities. It’s easy to add your own visual prompts to this resource. All my students enjoy this activity. It helps them generate ideas and practice creating characters and settings.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions. Many thanks!
Visual Creative Writing Prompts Kit: 11-14 years
Every great picture has the makings of an unforgettable story, but which one? With this adaptable Visual Story Starter Kit, your students can choose from 12 curated creative writing prompts. Each image is designed to inspire your students, and help them to write from the heart.
Includes
Teaching Guide
Printables
12 Curated images + story prompts
Story planner
Learning objectives
Writing
Generating ideas, planning and drafting
Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas
Writing narratives, considering how authors have developed characters and settings
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Differentiation opportunities
Ask students to find an image they want to write a story about.
With the flexible Story Starter Kit you can create your activities. It’s easy to add your own visual prompts to this resource. All my students enjoy this activity. It helps them generate ideas and practice creating characters and settings.
Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions. Many thanks!
Realistic Characters & Emotion: Creative Writing Lesson Plans for 12 to 14 yrs
Ray Bradbury’s advice on how to write confident and compelling narrative? “Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.”
With the right tools, your students can write narrative pieces that blaze. In these lessons they’ll gain the skills to become highly attuned to the world around them, develop their voices and create their best work. They will learn how to -
• Identify and develop strong ideas that add heat to a story.
• Use popular song lyrics to find story ideas.
• Beat writer’s block. Discover the technique that award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin uses to make a great start, every time.
• Craft compelling stories that are relevant and timeless.
Time Allowance / Key Stage
3-4 lessons
KS3
Activities
Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing.
Learning objectives
Reading
Understanding the author’s craft: story shape
Writing
Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting
Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect
Speaking and Listening
Developing active listening skills and strategies
Group discussion and interaction: Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies
Resources included in this plan
Story prompts
Images
Quotes and song lyrics
Story planners for students (2 pages)
Online resource links
Please contact Claire Vorster with any questions. Many thanks!