About the book
StoryMaker Catch Pack is the
follow-up to Steve Bowkett`s ALPS StoryMaker. Here the emphasis is on genre fiction which
captalises upon the ongoing interest in and popularity of SF, Fantasy and Horror –
especially amongst boys. Underpinned by an exploration of the `creative attitude`, Catch
Pack offers a range of new storymaking activities as well as the further development of
games introduced in ALPS StoryMaker. Throughout the materials immediacy, practicality and
the principles of good classroom practice have been borne in mind.
What the book offers
- An overview of how the mind works
and how creativity links with the principles of Accelerated Learning and exciting new
ideas from the Thinking Skills movement.
- Core activities which are
accessible to children of virtually all ages and abilities. These key activities serve as
solid platforms on which all other storymaking games can be built. They also embody a
great range of thinking `tools` that can subsequently be applied across the curriculum
- Supplementary activities which
raise awareness of powerful `visual organisers` allowing children to consolidate, retain
and recall information much more effectively.
- A section on the assessment and
evaluation of creative work across four educationally significant domains. These
assessment tools act as templates for teachers to offer valuable feedback on and sincere
praise for children`s creative fiction – these are two potent motivators for
effective learning. The same evaluative tools also allow children to preview subsequent
pieces of work with greater insight.
- Supplementary resources in the form
of two books of short stories including Catch Minitales – fifty-two short stories
with a sting! The minitales especially help to orient readers within their featured genres
and map out a great range of characters, plots, settings and motifs which young writers
can use in their own work. The resource materials also feature a CD giving extensive
background to the fiction and the underlying writing process, plus a menu of interactive
writing games so that children can enjoy storymaking direct on their PC.
StoryMaker Catch Pack is published
by Network Educational Press. To order the pack or find out more about NEP publications go
to www.networkpress.co.uk