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This workshop takes a unique approach to discovering a character through a process of segueing back and forth between their character’s inner world of perception and outer sensory experiences. Students will literally write on a drawing they create.

Topics covered

• Discovering an original character vs inserting stereotypes into a story
• Using aspects of their character’s body to reveal and record their experiences
• Distinguishing between the character’s exterior sensory world and perceptions of it
• Learning how to use their character’s inner and outer world to create a story plot

Curriculum outcomes 

• Writing and representing
• Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
• Expressing themselves
• Create literary texts that explores students’ own experiences and imaginings
• Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings
• Create literary texts by using storylines, characters and settings

Writing an imaginative story is not a linear process, with the best and most unique and engaging ideas frequently originating from hidden creative depths. This workshop teaches students a variety of techniques to access their own imaginative depths, through a series of specific portals into story ideas. Especially useful for NAPLAN preparation!

Topics covered

• How the imagination works
• Stream-of-consciousness writing for warming up
• How to get ideas through a variety of stimuli including: objects, the senses, and random words and images

Curriculum outcomes 

• Writing and representing
• Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
• Expressing themselves
• Create literary texts that explores students’ own experiences and imaginings
• Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings
• Create literary texts by using storylines, characters and settings

Have you ever had an experience in nature where you really paid attention and for a moment felt you were part of everything around you? In this workshop, children will deepen into their own personal experience and connection to the Earth. Through creative writing and using the themes as inspiration from Wonder Earth, students will reflect on both the heart-felt significance as well as the scientific importance of a personal ‘wonder earth moment’, and create a class Wonder Earth book!

Topics covered

• Experiences in nature for story inspiration
• Patterns and processes which sustain life
• Creative writing with scientific themes
• Reflection of our relationship to the world

Curriculum outcomes

• Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
• Reflecting on learning
• Responding and composing
• Living world
• Earth and space

Would you like your students to stop and marvel at the amazing world around them and build their ecological-literacy? The Earth has so much to share if only we stop, listen and wonder. Come along on a beautiful journey of what it means to belong to our earth home through exploring a BIG version of the Wonder Earth book. Celebrate the colors and patterns of the natural world. Hear and tell an earth story. Blending creative writing with inspiration from nature, children reflect on their relationship to the world around them.

Topics covered

• Ecological themes such as the sun, water, food and patterns of nature
• Processes and relationships which sustain life
• Creative writing with nature themes
• Reflection of our relationship to the world

Curriculum Outcomes 

• Speaking and listening
• Writing and representing
• Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
• Working scientifically
• Living world
• Earth and space

Author Tristan Bancks shares the tools for creating a thrilling and authentic crime story, based on his experience writing novels for age 10+ like Two Wolves, The Fall and Cop & Robber (2022).

Topics covered

• Gathering story details from the real world.
• Using technology to feed creativity in the writing process.
• The importance of research in writing.