Just because the story has finished, doesn't mean the writing stops there! Teach children to read their stories aloud and edit them to get the best draft. You can play this animation, which is just one in a writing series, in class or at home to help children submit a story to the best of their ability.
I love reading stories, so I've written my own. But I'm worried it's not very good and I'm too shy to show it to anyone.
Hi there! I'm Winnie the Bookworm, 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've been enjoying this book, but the story I really want to read is yours.
Please don't read my story Winnie.
Too late. I've already finished it and I think it's nearly absolutely amazing! But the best way to figure out what needs improving, is to read your story out loud. It's like an alarm clock for your imagination. It wakes it up! And you have to read it out loud to other people. Let's imagine reading it to some of my friends. A little girl was scared of the dark. She saw a shadow come out from under the bed. "A monster!" she thought. But Glungal the Glow Worm opened the window and used his light to frighten the shadow away.
Hm, let's stop there for now. She saw a shadow come out from under the bed. How about we try some bigger, fancier words to replace the word come. You can ask adults for help. How about… stretch, slink, loom, leak, crawl, creep, emerge or extend. But next, I want you to read out your ending.
After many nights protecting the little girl, Glungal said he wouldn't be back again because she wasn't scared of the dark anymore. She was sad when they waved goodbye. But then she fell into a deep and happy sleep. The end.
Oh, wow! Listen to them!
Thank you, Winnie. I'll write it out again and then read it out loud to myself and other people too.
And don't forget: Write something that you want to read! Have fun!
In case you missed it...
Make sure you start your story off with a bang and watch our 'Who Am I? Creating Characters'.
Teacher Notes
Teachers could explicitly teach key skills needed at this age, such as, composing a sentence orally and practicing with a partner before writing it down. say out loud what they are going to write to an adult and re-read their writing to check it makes sense.
Also, pupils could read aloud what they have written with appropriate intonation to make the meaning clear.
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).
Need more inspiration?
Back to 500 Words
Click here for more information on 500 Words.
The winning stories of 500 Words 2024/25
Watch Her Majesty The Queen present the winning stories at the 500 Words final 2024/25
Supermovers: Reading Aloud with The Worst Witch
Let the Worst Witch's Mildred Hubble inspire your class to read aloud. This song and routine covers punctuation and reading with feeling.
