StoryBoard
Samantha Turnbull
Samantha Turnbull is a children’s author, slam poet, and journalist/content creator at the ABC.
Sam writes the super successful ABC podcast Fierce Girls – a series of narrative-style non-fiction audio stories and short TV animations for kids. Fierce Girls won Best Family & Kids podcast at the 2019 Australian Podcasting Awards. Shortly after its debut, Fierce Girls hit the number one spot across all categories on podcasting charts, making it the most popular podcast in Australia.
Sam also wrote the best-selling five-book children’s fiction series The Anti-Princess Club, published by Allen & Unwin.
Sam is also an accomplished slam poet and five-time Australian Poetry Slam state finalist. She has performed her poetry on live TV, and at schools and festivals across Australia.
Sam’s ‘day job’ is as a journalist with the ABC, where she reports for TV, radio and online. She has won a long list of journalism awards, and has been a finalist in The Walkleys.
Sam will soon have her Masters in Teaching specialising in primary education.
Tantrum to Tale
Duration: 1 hr
Suitable for: Stage 2, Stage 3
Workshop overview
A tantrum in a shopping centre led to the creation of Sam’s bestselling children’s book series, The Anti-Princess Club. In this workshop, students will learn how to use their gripes as inspiration for their own stories. Students will then follow Sam’s steps for turning ideas into compelling narratives.
Topics covered
- Inspiration
- Creating characters
- Assembling a setting
- Building a narrative arc
Curriculum outcomes
- Writing and representing
- Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
- Expressing themselves
Creating Characters (and Smashing Stereotypes)
Duration: 1 hr
Suitable for: Stage 2, Stage 3
Workshop overview
Middle grade author, Samantha Turnbull deliberately crafts characters that smash stereotypes. In this workshop, students will learn to articulate the difference between a boring character and a compelling one. They will then create a bunch of their own captivating characters – from heroes to villains and everything in between – all while smashing stereotypes themselves.
Topics covered
- Character creation
- Identifying and avoiding stereotypes and cliches
- Types of characters (ie protagonists, antagonists, mentors, sidekicks etc)
Curriculum outcomes
- Writing and representing
- Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
- Expressing themselves
- Responding and composing
Slam Poetry
Duration: 1 hr
Suitable for: Stage 2, Stage 3
Workshop overview
As well as an author, Samantha Turnbull is an accomplished slam poet (it was the next best option after realising she couldn’t be a rap superstar). In this workshop, students will learn how to write and perform their own slam poem. Slam poetry a unique skill that blends creative writing, persuasive writing, public speaking and performance.
Topics covered
- What is a slam poem?
- Poetic devices – particularly rhythm, rhyme and repetition
- Using your passions as inspiration
- Performance/public speaking with flair
* Note: Video is included in Sam’s slam poetry workshop, so an IWB or computer with projector is needed please
Curriculum outcomes
- Speaking and listening
- Writing and representing
- Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
- Expressing themselves