At BSN, we believe in creating an environment where every child can thrive, especially when it comes to learning and creativity. To spark their interest and make writing an exciting and fun process, our Year 1 teachers have dedicated a lot of time and effort to bring creativity into the classroom.
A Magical Beginning: Inspired by Storytelling
Inspired by Lauren O'Hara's beautiful book Once Upon a Fairytale, our Year 1 teachers began by bringing the story to life in a way that would engage young minds. They carefully transcribed the book into a hand-drawn story map, a colorful and creative visual guide that allowed the children to follow along with the narrative in an interactive way.
Next, they printed the story map on large A3 paper, scrunched it up, and added a special touch of adventure. The paper was carefully painted with coffee grains to give it an “ancient scroll” look, making the storytelling experience feel even more magical. This hands-on, textured approach to writing allowed the students to feel like they were part of the story themselves.
Exploring Through Creativity
To make the writing process even more engaging, the teachers decided to break down the story into key elements that the children could explore. They used four colorful categories to represent different parts of the story:
Illustrated cards were created for each category, and these cards were scattered across different areas of the woodland valley. The Year 1 students had the exciting task of embarking on their own storytelling adventure. As they explored the valley, they picked the cards that spoke to them, choosing when the story would happen, who would be involved, where the adventure would take place, and what problem the characters would face.
This outdoor adventure allowed the children to experience the thrill of creating their own stories, making writing a dynamic and hands-on experience.
Bringing the Stories to Life
Once the children had selected their story elements, they returned to the classroom to put everything together on their scrolls. With each child’s unique ideas and creativity, their scrolls began to take shape into individual stories full of imagination and adventure.
For those eager to go even further, our teachers offered an exciting opportunity to turn their stories into beautiful storybooks. The children were given the chance to create their own handmade books, complete with red ribbons tied around them. This extra step helped them take ownership of their learning while also fostering a love for reading and storytelling.
An Environment Where Every Child Thrives
At BSN, we know that children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and inspired. By incorporating hands-on activities like creating story scrolls and handmade books, our Year 1 teachers have turned writing from a mundane task into an exciting adventure. The goal is to help each child develop a love for learning from the very start of their primary school journey.
Through these immersive experiences, we are building a strong foundation for our students, one where they can thrive, grow, and feel excited about the process of learning.
Stay tuned for the final versions of the Year 1 students' storybooks, and celebrate the creativity and adventure that have made this writing journey so special!
