StoryMaker INSET

A one-day presentation based on Steve`s StoryMaker project -

ALPS StoryMaker / StoryMaker Catch Pack

Using fiction for developing Accelerated Learning, Thinking Skills, Creativity and Emotional Resourcefulness

This is a fast-paced one-day presentation designed to give participants fresh ideas for improving literacy through Accelerated Learning, while still meeting the requirements of the NLS.

Steve models AL theory throughout the day, demonstrating practical exercises in an engaging and memorable way. You will leave the course with a wealth of tools and techniques that can be applied as soon as you return to your classroom.

Through a series ofactivities, you will discover:

how to boost youngsters' motivation & their confidence in their literacy skills
how to improve questioning strategies to ensure that all children get the most out of your literacy sessions
exciting and imaginative ways to engage children in shared writing, guided writing and independent   writing
highly effective ways to make boys enthusiastic about writing
how to make plenaries exciting and effective
what to do to ensure children are eager to take part in literacy sessions

The host school receives a portfolio of tried and tested exercises, complete with photocopiable resources for use in the classroom, plus a CD-ROM of most of the overheads that Steve shows during the day. These are the templates for the activities he describes. The ideas and exercises are extensive, and include:

at least 7 exercises to help develop higher order thinking skills
more than a dozen suggestions for creative beginnings
proven strategies for reducing marking time while giving better feedback, monitoring progress and        setting learning targets effectively
numerous techniques to make big improvements in creative writing
tried and tested spelling strategies that really improve results
more than 12 ideas for fun and successful plenaries

Here is a more detailed plan of the day...

Programme

 Session 1: Overview of Creative Thinking

• Definitions and descriptions of the mind and creativity
• A model for linking principles of creative thinking with classroom practice
• Establishing a creative environment
• Review of the `creative attitude`
• Linking the creative attitude to the Accelerated Learning Cycle and the writing process

Session 2: Generating Creative Ideas: Two Core Activities

• Picture Exploration embodying observation, deductive reasoning, speculation, raising awareness of value judgements
• Training VAK and sensory acuity
• Developing concentration and visualisation skills
• Stimulating systematic questioning and decision making
• Visual mapping strategies for developing `linking thinking` - bisociation and multiple connections for creating storylines and understanding story structure
• Developing the skills of accessing the powerful `alpha learning state` at will
• Training the skill of pole bridging (`muttering one`s understanding`)

Session 3: Organising Creative Ideas

• A menu of techniques for developing expertise in generating characters, scene-setting and descriptive writing and plotting
• Activities for developing an understanding of narrative structure

Session 4: Evaluating Creative Work and Previewing Future Projects

• Techniques for assessing and evaluating creative work. Using assessment tools for previewing and improving upon future projects
• Questions and evaluation of the day

Fees - click here

Notes for booking Steve`s StoryMaker INSET...

• If you wish I can arrange for copies of my StoryMaker packs to be sent to the venue for purchase on the day. If you would like this facility please let me know and I can make arrangements with Network Educational Press.

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