Students write short stories. Most of them love it. The creative process is something that so many of our students are just itching to engage with. But, one of the reasons that teachers don't always want to teach creative writing, is because it means reading. A lot of reading. And then there's the marking. How … Continue reading 4.04 – Writing a Choose Our Way Tale with Twine or Texture Writer (English Lesson)

Palm stories are short stories that were created in the palm of your hand. Using nothing more than your palm, and your imagination you can create and populate a unique world. It's so easy that anyone can do it, which is why we want to introduce the technique to our classrooms. I could tell you … Continue reading 4.03 – Writing a PALM Story: Ideation for Short Stories (English Lesson)

The world of creative fiction is about to open up before your students. One of the most engaging ways to create fiction is to consider Choose Our Way Tales (or COWtales, as I like to call them). These stories go by many different names: Choose your own adventure Choose your scare Pick your path Adventure … Continue reading 4.02 – Introducing Choose Our Way Tales: COWtales (English Lesson)

Beginning a new unit of study is always difficult. Trying to determine how much your students already know, and where you need to start teaching the fundamental foundations that will be integral for everything that follow can be a make or break decision. And, it's not an easy decision. You don't want students who are … Continue reading 4.01 – Introducing the Elements of a Story (English Lesson)