Logo-sue-palmerLogo-sue-palmerLogo-sue-palmerLogo-sue-palmer
  • Home
  • My Books
    • About my Books
    • May’s Moon Trilogy
    • Poppy’s Periwinkles
    • Jed’s Jailbreak
  • My Blog
  • About me
  • School Workshops
    • Workshop Overview
    • From the Moon to Mars
    • Could you be an Astronaut?
    • Launch your story
    • Teacher’s Resources
  • Fun Stuff
Contact me
Show my Blog

Schools showcase their space writing talent

Berkshire and Oxfordshire schools showcase their space writing skills

Visiting several schools in Berkshire and Oxfordshire recently to run my Launch your Story KS2 creative writing workshop, I was so impressed by the level of imagination and creativity.

Every single KS2 class threw itself into the tasks involved in creating the outline of a story in just one sitting. For the writing teams who collected the most points on the day, I promised to showcase some of their space stories, which you’ll find below.

So what did we do on the day? Here are the objectives of the session, key content and learning outcomes.

Learning Objectives

·         To be able to differentiate between character and characteristics.

·         To create profiles for story characters and understand what excites a reader.

·         To produce a setting plan for a story.

·         To understand how a plot plan signposts a story.

·         Create a plot plan.

·         To discuss different types of story beginning.

·         To produce a story beginning based on today’s character, setting and plot plan.

Content

·         Introduction to Sue Palmer, May’s Moon and today’s workshop objectives.

·         Character and characteristics – class discussion.

·         Re-reading of Chapter 1 of May’s Moon.

·         Group notes on Michael May’s character.

·         Introduction to character form.

·         Interactive group exercise to create characters.

·         Class discussion on what makes a good setting.

·         Group exercise to create story settings.

·         How do I plan my story. Using a plot plan sheet.

·         How do I begin my story? What sort of beginning do I like?

·         Write your own first lines.

Learning Outcomes

·         I know how to create a character, setting and a plot for my story and how to write an exciting start.

What did the teachers say?

Teacher of Year 5/6 at Checkendon Primary School:

Thank you so much for the fantastic day – the workshops were brilliant. 

Teacher of Year 5 at Hawkedon Primary School:

Firstly, I wanted to say a massive thank you for such a wonderful workshop – it has been the best virtual workshop we have had so far! The children would not stop talking about it all afternoon. We will start writing our stories this week and will pick a few to send on to you – the children are now competing to get their work chosen.

Winning Stories

space stories

And now for the exciting part…here are the space stories chosen from the winning school teams.

Sophia, Rhino Class, Checkendon Primary School

I loved Zorgo’s adventures as a 366 year old taxi flying saucer driver.

There were great facts about the 250,000 miles to earth and the broccoli in the petrol tank made me laugh.

I also enjoyed the writing, particularly, ‘the alien circled the earth like a snake might do to a tiny mouse‘ and ‘that morning, the city on the moon smelt of smoke and gas and thick, brownish steam billowed from the factory chimneys.’

Well done, Sophia!

 

Charlie, Crimson Class, Hawkedon Primary School

I love a story that starts with a bang and has drama and an evil character. You had my attention from the start.

You created memorable character details about Foxboy and your setting of Burrowtropolis is so creative.

Well done, Charlie!

 

 

Harry, Crimson Class, Hawkedon Primary School

This is the kind of story that would have haunted me for days as a child but I’d be forced to read on as it’s so compelling.

I love the use of language, for example, ‘ominous, glowing portal’, ‘pixelated’ and ‘ermine’. They make the story interesting and unusual.

The dialogue and description is really effective at showing Zack’s character.

Well done, Harry!

 

 

Max, Claret Class, Hawkedon Primary School

There is so much action in this story that it carried me along from the start.

We find out really early on Astro’s goal of painting his dad’s portrait and what his biggest fear is, which made me root for him.

I like the use of humour and the way the story leaves us wanting more.

Well done, Max!

 

George, Claret Class, Hawkedon Primary School

I loved the meeting of past and future in this story with T-Rex and robots.

It’s clear from the start that Jack’s goal is to the get the last T-rex egg and I was with him on this journey from the start.

The action and setting-creation is really effective and I love the sights, sounds and feelings you create in your story.

Well done, George!

 

Congratulations to all the classes who took part in my ‘Launch your Story’ creative writing workshops.

You are all unique and so are your stories. Keep on writing and reading and I look forward to showcasing more school writing talent!

Share

Related Articles

30 November 2020

Authors into Schools – Cost v Benefit


Read more
Children's Adventure Stories

Where are our adventure stories?

29 September 2020

Bring back Adventure Stories for Children


Read more
6 May 2020

My Writing World – from idea to story


Read more

Comments are closed.

Latest Articles

  • Schools showcase their space writing talent
    17 December 2020
  • Authors into Schools – Cost v Benefit
    30 November 2020
  • World Space Week 2020 and the 1st Child Astronaut?
    2 October 2020
  • Children's Adventure Stories
    Bring back Adventure Stories for Children
    29 September 2020
  • 22 Questions about my Writing
    7 August 2020
  • Blog Topics

    • Book News & Events
    • Fun Stuff
    • Reading & Writing
    • School Workshops
    • Space News
    • Teacher's Resources

Article Archives

Search our Articles

Toppsta Profile

Book Reviews - Happy Reading

Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed (Uncle Gobb 1)
The Subtle Knife
The Last Wild
Wolf Brother
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Girl in the Blue Coat

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL MY BOOK REVIEWS

Buy my adventure books at your local independent Book Shop or online

Waterstones Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Toppsta
Click here for all the bookshops selling my books

May's Moon (ISBN: 9781782797807)
May's Moon - Fortis Mission (ISBN: 9781789040913)

Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

View / Buy Online here

  • Hive UK
  • Foyles
  • Waterstones
  • The Space Store
  • WHSmiths
  • Barnes & Noble US
  • Indie Bound US
  • Amazon UK
  • Amazon US
  • Toppsta
 

Local Book Shops

  • The Bell Bookshop, Henley
  • The Wallingford Bookshop, Wallingford
  • The Book House, Thame

Subscribe to my Newsletter

Receive updates on my books and writing events. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Email address

Legal and Disclaimer

GDPR Privacy Policy
Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Copyright

School Workshops - Documents

Sample Workshop Agreement Form
Sample School Pre-Order Form

Workshop: Launch your Story

Launch Your Story - KS2 Workshop Outline
Launch your Story - Workshop Worksheets

Workshop: From the Moon to Mars

From the Moon to Mars - KS2 Workshop Outline

Workshop: Could you be an Astronaut?

Could you be an Astronaut? - KS2 Workshop Outline
© 2015-2020 S Y Palmer. All Rights Reserved. | South Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
Office Access
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Instagram
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Email