Primary Catalogue

English


Researching Non-Fiction

Researching Non-Fiction

Story Tools

This lesson follows the introductory Lesson 9: All About Non-fiction, and explores in further detail why research for non-fiction works is vital. Students will learn about some of the ways that non-fiction writers conduct their research, and how...Show More
All About Non-Fiction

All About Non-Fiction

Story Tools

This lesson introduces students to non-fiction writing, and some of the different types/genres of non-fiction books. They will explore the process of non-fiction writing, how writers find inspiration for the subjects they choose to write about,...Show More
Graphic Storytelling

Graphic Storytelling

Story Tools

This lesson explores graphic storytelling, specifically comics and graphic novels. Students will learn about the different kinds of graphic stories, the features of these types of works, and what makes them a unique and exciting storytelling...Show More
Illustration Styles

Illustration Styles

Story Tools

This lesson explores different illustration mediums and the concept of illustration 'style'. Students will hear how different illustrators experiment with different mediums,  how they discovered their own personal or ‘signature’ style, and...Show More
The Book Factory

The Book Factory

Story Tools

This lesson explores the world of professional publishing, and introduces students to some of the roles and responsibilities of the different people who work inside a publishing house. Students will discover more about the process of how a book...Show More
Performance Storytelling

Performance Storytelling

Story Tools

This lesson introduces students to storytelling for performance – the unique techniques needed to create a story with the purpose of sharing it with an audience, rather than being read on a page. Students will hear about the differences between...Show More
Heroes and Villains

Heroes and Villains

Story Tools

This lesson explores one of the most familiar storytelling dynamics – the clash between opposite forces, or the battle between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Students will investigate why this trope is so common, and the storytelling need that it...Show More
Building a Picture Book

Building a Picture Book

Story Tools

This lesson will give students an overview of the different parts of a picture book, the common features of a picture book, and how the format of a book can influence the way writers choose to tell a story. Students will learn about the physical...Show More
Illustrating a Book Cover

Illustrating a Book Cover

Story Tools

This lesson will give students an overview of how illustrated book covers are made. They will learn about the purpose of a book cover, and some of the factors that illustrators need to consider when they are creating their book cover designs....Show More
Show Don't Tell

Show Don't Tell

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to ‘show don’t tell’ – the idea that creative writing language allows writers to ‘paint a picture’ for readers, which can allow readers to experience a story and characters in vivid, immersive ways...Show More
Staying Inspired

Staying Inspired

Story Tools

This lesson will focus on the reasons why writers can become stuck or lose interest in their work – sometimes referred to as ‘writer’s block’. Students will consider why they might encounter barriers with their own work, and will explore...Show More
Editing

Editing

Story Tools

This lesson will provide students with an introduction to editing, and the work of professional book editors. Students will learn about the editing process, and how authors work with editors to polish, change, revise and perfect their...Show More
All About Picture Books

All About Picture Books

Story Tools

This lesson will provide students with a broad introduction to picture books and picture book creation. They will learn how storytellers originate picture book story ideas, and the ways in which authors and illustrators work together to form a...Show More
Plotters and 'Pantsers'

Plotters and 'Pantsers'

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to different writing processes, and different ways writers can approach their work – from careful planning and plotting, to a looser, more experimental style (‘flying by the seat of your pants’ or what...Show More
Rhyming Stories

Rhyming Stories

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to some of the different forms of rhyming stories, and how and why writers might choose to write in rhyme.  Students will analyse some different forms of rhyme and will become familiar with some of the...Show More
Introducing Illustrated Stories

Introducing Illustrated Stories

Story Tools

This lesson will provide students with a broad introduction to illustrated stories. They will become familiar with some of the various forms of illustrated storytelling, and some of the methods and techniques that can be used to tell a story...Show More
Drawing Characters

Drawing Characters

Story Tools

This lesson will provide students with an overview of some of the techniques illustrators use when creating their visual characters. Students will gain insight into the process of illustrated character creation, and some places they can look for...Show More
Writing Characters

Writing Characters

Story Tools

This lesson has been designed as an introduction to the idea of story characters and character creation. Students are encouraged to think about what it means to invent a story character from the beginning, and how characters can be used as both a...Show More
All About Genre

All About Genre

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to the concept of text types and narrative story genres. Students will become familiar with the common features of story genres, and the ways in which they can categorise stories by genre. Students will learn...Show More
Story Building Blocks

Story Building Blocks

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to five of the key story ‘building blocks’, or story elements – Setting, Character, Problem, Plot and Resolution. Students will explore ways of thinking about these different elements, and ways of using...Show More
All About Plot

All About Plot

Story Tools

In this lesson, students will undertake a more in-depth exploration of plot – one of the five story building blocks to which they have previously been introduced. Students will learn about a basic story model known as The Three-Act structure,...Show More
Hooking Your Reader

Hooking Your Reader

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to some of the different ways writers approach the beginnings of their stories, with a focus on writing engaging first lines and opening paragraphs. Students will explore techniques for grabbing their...Show More
Story Sparks: Finding Inspiration for Stories

Story Sparks: Finding Inspiration for Stories

Story Tools

This lesson will introduce students to the idea of story inspiration, and some of the methods and techniques that writers utilise to find story ideas. Students are encouraged to think about how to approach a blank page, and ways to overcome...Show More
Nonfiction Text Structures

Nonfiction Text Structures

English Literature: Skills

Understand nonfiction texts with these five essential text structures. From chronological narratives to cause and effect explanations, problem-solving essays, compare and contrast articles, and descriptive lists, once you know these structures,...Show More
Greek and Latin Roots

Greek and Latin Roots

English Literature: Skills

Lots of the words that we use everyday have their roots in the ancient languages of Latin and Greek. Let's explore some examples and learn how language is constantly evolving.