Friday 8 April 2016

Successful Story Writing

Genre: Character-Problem-Solution
We are writing original creative stories, using this genre. This involves a problem or adventure that our main characters will experience.

Beginnings: 4 techniques to hook our reader
  •  Action – What would you do?
  • Dialogue/Exclamation – What would you say or exclaim?
  •  A Thought or Question – What would you be thinking, wondering or worrying?
  • A Sound – What would you hear?


Suspense: Here are some ways we can build suspense
  • Story Questions – use your characters to ask questions – to wonder or worry. This gives hints to the reader about what might happen next.
  • Word Referents – when describing a story critical person or object, do not immediately reveal what ‘it’ is. 
  • Magic of 3 – use imagery (descriptive language) to give 3 hints before revealing a discovery at the end. Focus on the 5 senses (what we see, hear, feel, smell, taste)


Main Event: This is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the story. Fully elaborated main events have a balance of:
  • Action – What did the characters do?
  • Description – What did you see, hear, or feel?
  • Thoughts/Feelings – What were you wondering, worrying, feeling?
  • Dialogue/Exclamation – What did you say or exclaim?
  • Sound Effect – What did you hear?


Endings: A good story ending reveals what the story was about and how the main character has grown or changed.
Here are some suggestions for writing extended endings:
  • A Memory – What did you remember most?
  •  Feelings – How did you feel about what happened?
  • Wish or Hope – What would you wish or hope?
  • Decision – What did you decide?
  • Defining Action – What did you do?

How Many Different Switches Can You Build?

As part of our ongoing Electricity Inquiry students were challenged to create as many different switches as they could using materials from our Maker Carts.  Students had to assess what types of materials would be most appropriate for this task and then invent and test their design.

They also had to consider questions such as:

Why are switches important?
What is their purpose?
How does  switch effect the flow of electricity?

Working in their teams students created many unique designs!  Take a look!