We are approaching the end of the year and may be thinking about gifts and new diaries. Even though we can find the date quickly on our phones, it is nice to have a calendar to remind us of the days and the passing of the seasons. You might like to create your own calendar … Continue reading The Names of the Months
I found this box in a shop that was full of second hand furniture and trinkets and nick nacks of all kinds. It is not an especially attractive box, but something made me open it. Inside was a folded sheet of paper, blotches and faded with old age. I discovered that it was part of … Continue reading Letter box
Sometimes a box might contain a collection. This bejewelled box seemed to invite a collection of sparkly things. It contains a collection of rings … …. which could also be a collection of characters. Four rings, four characters many more than four stories. Choose a ring and build the character who might wear it. Give … Continue reading A box of rings
Make a collection of small boxes and tines. Save small food tins – cream of tartar, Colman’s mustard, mini mints. Find decorative tins and boxes in charity shops. Hold on to interesting boxes: camembert boxes, small chocolate boxes,. They have a gazillion uses. Boxes can slightly push writers to step out of their comfort zone. … Continue reading What’s in the box?
Many years ago I was given a carved sandalwood box. When I opened it, I discovered that it contained a collection of smaller boxes, neatly fitted into the space. My students knew me well. I still use this collection of boxes. Each box, just like the one that holds them, is filled with surprises. It … Continue reading This box
Here’s a way of looking closely and writing poems, as a group, in pairs or alone. We were prompted to write about it now, because pumpkins are such a good subject for this approach. However, there are all kinds of fruit and vegetables which work well. The idea is fairly simple. Start with a fruit … Continue reading Treasure boxes
In Philip Pullman’s magic novel, The Firework Maker’s Daughter, Lila, the daughter in question, learns to invent and make fireworks herself. When she does so, her father encourages her to name them. She makes Golden SneezesCrackle DragonsTumbling DemonsShimmering CoinsJava LightsLeaping Monkeys. Invent some names for your own fireworks. Make a list. Choose one and describe … Continue reading Firework makers
Here is another way of writing about fireworks that could be displayed in your firework books. Yesterday we focused on sound. Now think about the whole experience of watching a single firework or a whole display. Continue to think about sound. Add movement, pattern, colour. Think about pace: crescendo and diminuendo; how some fireworks are … Continue reading More fireworks
Here is a way to use the firework book [yesterday’s post]. Focus on sound. Make a list of onomatopoeic words that capture the sound of fireworks. Try to push beyond the usual words – bang and whoosh and screech – and invent some new words. Use consonants on their own - k k k k … Continue reading Fireworks
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. Whether or not we remember the plot, people in England often have bonfires and fireworks around this time. Those of celebrating Diwali may also be letting off fireworks, so, today we’ll show you how to make a folded book which Paul Johnson describes as a … Continue reading Firework book
Writing Box 