Develop children's vocabulary skills and watch them use new words in everyday life. You can play this animation, which is just one in a writing series, in class or at home to help children boost their use of descriptive words for their 500 Words story.
I love writing stories. Like, what if ants and wasps had been fighting over picnic food for a long time? But I find it hard to think of the best words to make them fun to read.
And I know just how to help you with that! Wheeee! Hi there! I'm Winnie theBookworm, but I like to be called Winnie the Worm. That's because stories can come from anywhere, not just in books. And I love, love, love helping people to write their own stories! I think your story is as lovely as an afternoon sitting in the sunshine.
See what I did there? I described your story by comparing it to another lovely thing-sunshine! Because everyone knows what that feels like, eh? How am I going to get people to see the story in their heads the same way I do?
Well, it's all about choosing the right words to paint a picture in people's minds. Try to use lots of describing words, called adjectives, to help. You say that ants and wasps don't like each other.Well, you could say ants don't like wasps because their stingers are pointy and scary!And wasps don't like ants because they have huge and wiggly heads! Pointy, scary, huge and wiggly are all adjectives because they describe the ants and wasps.
Suddenly, the Ant Queen and the Wasp King were there. They then remembered they were friends and all the fighting stopped. Aww, that's very sweet! But it would be even sweeter, you know, if you wrote why they're friends again and added some phrases.The Wasp King loved cake so much that it made him want to sing! The Ant Queen had forgotten that his beautiful songs warmed her heart. The ants and wasps made friends and stole all the delicious picnic food together.
Thank you, Winnie, I'll remember to think about wonderful words and fantastic phrases when I write my stories.
And don't forget: Write something that you want to read! Have fun!
Next up...
We have up to five animations to develop children's 500 Words stories, why not use one a day? Coming up next is 'Finish with Flourish'.
Teacher Notes
Teachers could read the beginning of a well-known story for its setting (Goldilocks and the Three Bears). This would be useful in encouraging pupils to think about their senses, what can I see, hear, even smell? Then discuss with a partner, words they could use to describe the setting.
After watching pupils could think about adjectives they might use to describe a well- known character from a book they have read.
For more able pupils’ access 7-11 version.
Curriculum Notes
This video is suitable for use with pupils aged 5-7. It is designed primarily for support with the BBC 500 Words competition but could also support the teaching of English and Literacy for this age range.
This links directly to the English Programmes of Study at KS1 (England), 1st Level (Scotland), Foundation Phase (Wales) and Foundation Stage/KS1 (Northern Ireland).
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Back to 500 Words
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The winning stories of 500 Words 2024/25
Watch Her Majesty The Queen present the winning stories at the 500 Words final 2024/25
The top 50 finalists of 2024/25. audio
Read or listen to the top 50 stories that made it to the 2024/25 final.
