We’ve all read great stories that end in a rush, and others that should have ended sooner. These four comprehensive activities apply secrets from master storytellers to help students discover how to write effective story endings. They will learn to - • Review the closing lines of famous novels and develop their own style. • Discover how to use writing prompts to find their starting point. • Try out expert techniques to bring their stories to a close. • Stay motivated, right to the end. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Resources included in this plan Writing Activities Story Prompts Leveled Literary Examples Reading and Comprehension Story Planner Online Resource Links Activities Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing.

Your students can have lots of fun creating compelling settings for their stories. These four comprehensive activities 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. • Use 5 senses as a secret weapon to uncover great ideas for a story. • Learn how to structure their story for success. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. 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

The secret to a memorable story is to start big, apply heat and reduce until you have the essence - everything that’s good. These activities apply secrets from master storytellers to help students discover how to review and edit their stories. They will learn to - • Let the mess out and fix problems later. • Throw away anything that isn’t plot. • Improve any confusing bits / plot holes. • Fix spelling, punctuation and grammar. • Uncover their stories in a new and improved way. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Resources included in this plan Reading and Comprehension Activities Mini and Comprehensive Writing and Editing Activities Story prompts

Realistic dialogue elevates and sharpens any story. With these four activities your students will discover how and why conversations can drive their plot forward. And, what characters think or don’t say can reveal even more. Your students will learn to - Recognise terrible dialogue in books and movies and discover fixes. Explore what informs and motivates their characters’ dialogue. Recognise and avoid common pitfalls when framing conversations. Look for authenticity in the way their characters speak. Punctuate and format correctly, before they start tearing their hair out! 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

Realistic dialogue elevates and sharpens any story. With this bundle of lessons your students will discover how and why conversations can drive their plot forward. And, what characters think or don’t say can reveal even more. Your students will learn to - Recognise terrible dialogue in books and movies and discover fixes. Explore what informs and motivates their characters’ dialogue. Recognise and avoid common pitfalls when framing conversations. Look for authenticity in the way their characters speak. Punctuate and format correctly, before they start tearing their hair out! 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

Dialogue: Creative Writing Activities_11 to 14 yrs Realistic dialogue elevates and sharpens any story. These four activities apply secrets from master storytellers to build on existing skills. Your students will discover how and why conversations drive their plot forward. Your students will learn to - Explore what informs and motivates their characters’ dialogue. Recognise and avoid common pitfalls when framing conversations. Look for authenticity in the way their characters speak. Punctuate and format correctly, before they start tearing their hair out! Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Resources included in this plan Reading and Comprehension Activities Writing Activities Famous quotes for discussion Literary examples Story prompts Story planner for students Online resource links 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

Realistic dialogue elevates and sharpens any story. With this bundle of lessons your students will discover how and why conversations can drive their plot forward. And, what characters think or don’t say can reveal even more. Your students will learn to - Explore what informs and motivates their characters’ dialogue. Recognise and avoid common pitfalls when framing conversations. Look for authenticity in the way their characters speak. Punctuate and format correctly, before they start tearing their hair out! Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. 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 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

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 various writing techniques. • Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft. • See that it’s good for a story when nothing goes according to plan. Resources included in this plan Reading and Comprehension Activities Mini and Comprehensive Writing Activities Famous quotes for discussion Story prompts Story planner for students Online resource links Plus Bonus Antihero poster 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 Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.

With the right tools, your students can write confident and compelling narrative pieces. These four comprehensive activities 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 various writing techniques. • Quickly set themselves up for a successful first draft. • See that it’s good for a story when nothing goes according to plan. Resources included in this plan Reading and Comprehension Activities Mini and Comprehensive Writing Activities Famous quotes for discussion Story prompts Story planner for students Online resource links Plus Bonus Antihero poster 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 Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.

There’s nothing quite like staring at a blank page. These bundled lesson plans apply secrets from master storytellers as students discover techniques to conquer those first line blues. They will learn to - Grab the reader’s attention from the very first line and hold onto it. Review the first lines of famous novels and develop their own style. Saturate their stories with atmosphere and meaning. Write to inform and entertain. And be ruthless about the editing process. 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

There’s nothing quite like staring at a blank page. Using these five activities students will apply secrets from master storytellers as they discover techniques to conquer those first line blues. They will learn to - Grab the reader’s attention from the very first line and hold onto it. Review the first lines of relevant, famous novels and develop their own style. Write to inform and entertain. And be ruthless about the editing process. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Activities Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing. Resources included in this plan Writing and Mini Writing Activities Story prompts Reading and Comprehension Story planner Online resource links

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!

With the right tools, your students can write narrative pieces that blaze. In these four activities they will turn life’s strangest moments into a dramatic story. 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. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with any questions. Activities Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing. Resources included in this plan Writing and Mini Writing Activities Story prompts Reading and Comprehension Quotes and song lyrics Online resource links

With the right tools, your students can write narrative pieces that blaze. In these four activities they will turn life’s strangest moments into a dramatic story. 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. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with any questions. Activities Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing. Resources included in this plan Writing and Mini Writing Activities Story prompts Reading and Comprehension Quotes and song lyrics Online resource links

With the right tools, your students can write confident and compelling narrative pieces. These lessons apply secrets from a master storyteller to build on existing skills, adding a dynamic story telling element. 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. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Time Allowance 1-2 lessons 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 Story planner for students (2 pages) Online resource links Please contact Claire Vorster with any questions. Many thanks

With the right tools, your students can write confident and compelling narrative pieces. These lessons apply secrets from a master storyteller to build on existing skills, adding a dynamic story telling element. 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. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Time Allowance 1-2 lessons 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 Story planner for students (2 pages) Online resource links Please contact Claire Vorster with any questions. Many thanks

There’s nothing quite like staring at a blank page. Using these five activities students will apply secrets from master storytellers as they discover techniques to conquer those first line blues. They will learn to - Grab the reader’s attention from the very first line and hold onto it. Review the first lines of famous novels and develop their own style. Write to inform and entertain. And be ruthless about the editing process. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or other questions. Activities Speaking and listening, planning, writing, reviewing. Resources included in this plan Writing and Mini Writing Activities Story prompts Reading and Comprehension Story planner Online resource links

These mini creative writing activities will help students discover how to write effective story endings. 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 engage your students as they create compelling characters and emotions that elevate and sharpen any story. Please contact Claire Vorster for free resources, or with other questions.

“It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.” —Patrick Rothfuss, author Examples of best selling books or movies that were inspired or experienced by the people who lived them: The Imitation Game First Man Adrift Dunkirk Into the Wild Apollo 13 Here are 8 curated examples of real stories – from poignant to silly. Students can take the idea that appeals the most and write their own fictional story. 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.

In an old lighthouse, where a twenty-four-candle lantern lights a sparkling blue-green sea, live a lighthouse keeper and his little companion – a cat called Mackerel. One day, a huge storm comes and the lights go out. Mackerel has an ingenious plan to help…but will it work? Resources included 10 Activities Printables Story Mountain Worksheets Handouts Story planner Online resource links Activities Comprehension, speaking and listening, story & information writing, labeling, drawing /painting, memory game Learning outcomes English • listen and respond appropriately to adults and their peers • give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings • use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising • imagining and exploring ideas • listening to and discussing a wide range of poems, stories and non-fiction at a level beyond that at which they can read independently • re-reading what they have written to check that it makes sense • discuss what they have written with the teacher or other pupils • develop positive attitudes towards and stamina for writing by: writing narratives about personal experiences and those of others (real and fictional) writing about real events Art • use drawing and imagination to develop their ideas. • Use tone, pattern, line and shape in pictures. These lessons are written by children’s author and tutor Claire Vorster. Enjoy!