Write a Book to Change the World
Learning Sequence 1
.png)
Introduction
This term, we’re embracing authorship, crafting stories with purposeful messages and vibrant illustrations to inspire change.
Use this time to truly inspire children to want to take this project on and follow through with the entirety of the tasks. Explain how by sharing our books online, we extend our impact globally, empowering students as authors who can influence perspectives and foster global connections. Let’s empower them to write stories that resonate and make a difference.
This term, we’re setting off on an amazing adventure to become authors. We’ll write our own stories filled with meaningful messages and eye-catching illustrations. Our stories will be so powerful, they might just change how people think and feel about the world around them.
Together, we’ll create books that could make a real difference. And the best part? We’ll share them online for people all over the world to read. Pretty cool, right?
Starting now, you can think of yourself as an author. Let’s make our mark!
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
This week, we’ve got some important words to explore during our lesson. You might already know a few, but remember, practicing helps us get even better!
Here’s what to do:
Start by reading the words carefully.
Then, try to explain what each word means in the simplest way you can.
I’ve done the first one for you as an example. You can write your definitions in your books and maybe even draw a picture to go with each word. Or, you can just fill out the task card.
Take a Look and Discuss - ‘The Front Cover’
This will allow the children to start to use their imagination and understand why it is so important to have a good front cover that leaves lots to the imagination.
Let’s dive into a little detective work with the front cover of our book. Take a good look at it. What clues can you find about the story waiting for us inside?
Pay close attention to the characters, the title, the author’s name, and the background. All these elements give us hints about the adventure we’re about to embark on.
In a couple of weeks, you’ll get the chance to create your own book cover. So, this is perfect practice!
Now, team up with a partner and share your thoughts. What story do you think is hidden behind this cover?
Read and Discuss - ' Weekly Warm-Up Activity '
Each week we will read several pages of ‘Are These Your Glasses?’ and discuss the things we can see and understand from the text and illustrations.
This activity will equip the students with the skills they need to write their own book, using this sample as their modelled example.
Let’s start our journey into the world of picture books together. Each week we will be reading a few pages of this book, ‘Are These Your Glasses?’ to see how picture books are written and what we can learn from books like this.
Let’s Start by reading pages (2-5) together and then we will discuss what we have see inside the pages of this book.
Weekly Comprehension (Discussion)
Explain to the student what the word comprehension means.
Explain that there are three different types of comprehension and discuss how knowing this can help us become better writers.
The three types of comprehension are:
Here (Right There) – Literal
The answer is here in one of the sentences in the text and can be seen and identified easily.
Hidden (Think and Search) – Inferential
The answer is found by joining together information from two or more places in the text, from information in the text and what I already know or do I have to search the text for a clue?
Head (World in Your Head) – Applied
The answer is in my background knowledge and I must explain why?
After we explore pages 2 to 5, I have some questions for you to think about and answer:
-
What material was used to build Sergio’s house?
-
Can you tell me the color of Sergio’s trousers?
-
Why do you think there was smoke coming out of the chimney?
-
Was Sergio excited to see his father? How can you tell?
-
Imagine being by yourself every lunchtime. How would that make you feel, and why?
-
If you noticed someone else sitting alone, what would you do? Why is that your choice?
As we discuss these questions, we’re not just talking about the story. We’re also learning how to understand different kinds of comprehension questions and figuring out strategies to find the answers.
Choose your Why? - Why are you Writing this Book?
Let’s dive into the many wonderful reasons your students might be inspired to start writing a story. Should a child choose to write simply for the joy of it, that’s absolutely wonderful!
Our goal is to spark a love for the creative process of writing, embracing the idea that writing can be for any reason at all. Whether it’s to share a laugh, explore a fantasy world, or capture a quiet moment, every motivation is valid and celebrated. Encourage them to let their imaginations run wild and discover the sheer pleasure of bringing their ideas to life on paper.
Now, let’s dive into the exciting part: deciding what kind of story you want to create. Writing a story can be for many reasons, and it’s all up to you. Check out the task card for some inspiration on the types of stories you might like to write.
And remember, it’s absolutely fine to write a story just for the fun of it. Let your imagination soar and see where it takes you.
After you’ve picked a story type, it’s brainstorming time! Jot down some initial ideas. This early stage is all about exploration, so feel free to change your mind later on. Right now, our goal is to capture as many ideas as possible to discover what kind of book excites you the most.
Take a look at the task card options. Discuss with your partner or your table group about the type of book you want to write and share your reasons. This is a great way to get inspired and maybe even come up with new ideas together.
Weekly Comprehension
(Discussion)
Let’s start our journey into the world of picture books together. Each week we will be reading a few pages of this book, ‘Are These Your Glasses?’ to see how picture books are written and what we can learn from books like this.
Let’s Start by reading pages (2-5) together and then we will discuss what we have see inside the pages of this book.
After we explore pages 2 to 5, I have some questions for you to think about and answer:
-
What material was used to build Sergio’s house?
-
Can you tell me the color of Sergio’s trousers?
-
Why do you think there was smoke coming out of the chimney?
-
Was Sergio excited to see his father? How can you tell?
-
Imagine being by yourself every lunchtime. How would that make you feel, and why?
-
If you noticed someone else sitting alone, what would you do? Why is that your choice?
As we discuss these questions, we’re not just talking about the story. We’re also learning how to understand different kinds of comprehension questions and figuring out strategies to find the answers.
Narrative Brainstorm
Encourage your students to team up in pairs or embark on this creative journey individually, laying the groundwork for their stories with an initial brainstorming session.
Invite them to blend images and words to map out their narratives. This brainstorming phase is an open playground for their thoughts—a place where every idea is welcomed and valued. There are no wrong turns here. We celebrate creativity in all its forms, urging them to think outside the box and let their imaginations soar.
Let’s use the brainstorming template to kick-start your story creation process. Combine pictures and words to begin shaping your story’s world. This mix of visuals and text can really spark your imagination and help bring your ideas to life.
Remember, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t have all the answers right now. Ideas often come to us when we least expect them. So, use this template as a starting point to envision what your story could be like.
Make sure to keep your brainstorming template in a safe place. You never know when a new idea might strike or if you’ll want to tweak your story as it evolves. And that’s completely fine—stories often grow and change, and that’s part of the creative process.
If you’re interested in keeping all your ideas and drafts organized, consider creating a writer’s portfolio. You’ll find instructions for this in the extension activity below. It’s a great way to track your progress and see how your story develops over time.
Closing Video
You have started the process of becoming a published author and things are getting exciting. Watch the video.
Ongoing Follow-Up Activities
Extension Activity - Buddy Program
Starting from Year 3, students will be given the opportunity to step into a role of leadership and responsibility by being paired with a younger student within the school. Each week, these budding mentors are tasked with visiting their younger counterparts to share knowledge and insights from their own recent learning experiences.
To support them in this mentorship role, each child will be provided with a weekly checklist. This checklist serves as a guide, ensuring they cover all necessary points while fostering a sense of accountability and structure in their teaching. This system not only aids in reinforcing their own learning but also in building a nurturing and supportive community where everyone grows together.
As the great Albert Einstein once said, “To teach something is to learn it twice.” Now, it’s your turn to embrace the role of both a teacher and a leader.
Your mission is to guide the younger students through the journey of planning, brainstorming, and preparing to write their own stories, just as you’ve started to do. By helping them, you’ll deepen your own understanding and skills, and get to experience the joy of teaching.
To make sure you cover everything, use the buddy checklist. This checklist will help you remember all the key points you need to share with your buddy.
For the next ten weeks, you’ll be paired with the same child each week. Together, you’ll work on creating and publishing their very own picture book. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and see firsthand how your guidance can help someone else’s story come to life.
Extension Activity #2 - Creating a Writer’s Portfolio
In this lesson, students will compile their creative endeavors—designs, illustrations, and notes—into a personalized portfolio, emphasizing creativity, personal identity, and responsibility.
A guiding video will show them how to create this portfolio using readily available materials, encouraging them to infuse their unique style into the project. This activity not only teaches organizational skills but also empowers students to take pride in their creative work, fostering a sense of ownership and self-expression.
By this point, you’ve probably gathered a rich collection of designs, illustrations, doodles, and brainstorming notes. It’s crucial to keep all these creative pieces safe and organized.
We’ve prepared a video to guide you through creating your very own portfolio. This isn’t just any portfolio—it’s a special place where you can keep all your writing and artwork secure. And the best part? You can make it using materials you already have at home or in the classroom.
This is your chance to craft a personalized author’s portfolio. It’s not just about keeping your work safe; it’s also an opportunity to express yourself and showcase your unique style. So, have fun with it and let your creativity flow!
Choose Your Value - What Do You Want the World to Learn?
This activity encourages students to author a story centred around a core value, fostering decision-making and personal expression. Teachers will guide students in selecting a value that resonates with them, using provided task cards as a starting point.
By crafting narratives around chosen values, students learn the impact of their choices on storytelling and broader societal contributions. The exercise emphasizes reflective thinking and the importance of deliberate, meaningful decision-making in creative contexts.
Now that you have decided on the reason for writing your story, it is very important to choose the message you want to share with the world. We refer to these messages as ‘values’.
Take a look at the task card opposite, where we have provided a selection of the most important values and lessons for children to learn. We have chosen confidence, but you may wish to select another value that you find significant.
Remember, things can always change, but this week we are going to focus on the message that people will receive from your story, and hopefully, this will contribute to making the world a better place for everyone.
