TP-Issue14.5

www.teachwire.net | 71 blizzards; mythical creatures; different climates. Discuss how it’s OK to deviate from the norm when creating a fantasy world. For example, what if the volcano on pupils’ maps erupts with something different from lava, doom where you could fall forever if you slipped. Ask pupils to determine a starting point and end goal (reaching an island no one has set foot on before, for example, or retrieving a lost explorer). 3 | GET DRAWING Decide whether you’d like children to work individually or collaboratively. They could draw individual maps that cleverly join together with an island, bridge or portal. A3 paper is good because it provides lots of space for world building. Lay out various maps in the classroom so that children can draw inspiration from the various island and continent shapes. It is also a good idea to have some images of potential features and obstacles on the tables to spark ideas. Set various levels of challenge according to ability. Some children may measure the journey to scale and add this to their map, for example. Draw dotted journey lines to show the route our hero takes through the adventure. Encourage children to discuss their creations and choices. They will enjoy giving a summary of their potential adventure plots and this is a wonderful way to celebrate their ideas. Before becoming a full-time children’s author, Vashti Hardy was a primary teacher with a special interest in children’s writing. Her books include Darkwhispers, Wildspark and Brightstorm (all Scholastic). “Discuss how it’s OK to deviate from the normwhen creating a fantasy world” l Encourage pupils to draw a key for the features on their map. l Draw the characters that will feature in your new adventure story. Children can also design a new fantasy transport system that suits their new world. l Ask children to write a scene of their fantasy adventure, based on their map. If time allows, write a complete story. l Pupils can start their own creative writing journals; unmarked spaces where they can collect images, jot story ideas, draw maps, design cover art and free write. l Create playlists for the stories you have created to aid with writing. Movie soundtracks can work well. Listen to tracks that evoke danger, sadness, joy, saying goodbye, etc. EXTENDING THE LESSON l How might climate pose different problems for your characters? l How could names create a sense of place in your world? l Can you bring aspects of your own interests into your map? USEFUL QUESTIONS such as magic spells? What if lions can fly in this world? Encourage the children to include at least three hazard points on their maps, such as a volcano erupting with poisonous insects, a forest of lost memories or a chasm of