"Welcome to the World of Night, a magical place where anything is possible!"
This is the first video in a storytelling series produced by Night Zookeeper. Each video takes children through the process of writing a great story.
Creating a character
This first video in the series specifically addresses the issue of creating a rich fictional character with depth. It does so by introducing a number of characters from the Night Zookeeper story.
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. What type of characters would you expect to find in a story entitled 'Night Zookeeper'
2. Can you guess what special power a Spying Giraffe may have?
3. What type of story do you think Night Zookeeper and the Spying Giraffes will be? A True story, Science Fiction, Fantasy or a Fairy Tale?
1. What type of characters would you expect to find in a story entitled 'Night Zookeeper'
2. Can you guess what special power a Spying Giraffe may have?
3. What type of story do you think Night Zookeeper and the Spying Giraffes will be? A True story, Science Fiction, Fantasy or a Fairy Tale?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. Who were the main characters discussed in the video?
2. What is Tom's main job as a Night Zookeeper?
3. Describe some of the skills you may need to have as a Night Zookeeper
4. Why do you think Sam would be a good character to include in a story?
5. Can you invent your own character to live in the World of Night?
1. Who were the main characters discussed in the video?
2. What is Tom's main job as a Night Zookeeper?
3. Describe some of the skills you may need to have as a Night Zookeeper
4. Why do you think Sam would be a good character to include in a story?
5. Can you invent your own character to live in the World of Night?
Story setting
This next video introduces children to the concept of a story setting. In the video you will be taken on an adventure through the Waterfly Woods, home to the Spying Giraffes.
Throughout this video, children will be asked to listen carefully to the detailed descriptions of some of the settings from within the Night Zookeeper story. At this point, you can also ask children to make notes on some of their favourite adjectives used within the descriptions. You will then be asked to pause the video at certain moments, and ask the children to suggest where the characters may be in the Night Zoo based on the setting description.
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Can you describe to a part what you think it would be like to walk through the Waterfly Woods?
2. Which other locations do you think might exist in the World of the Night Zoo?
3. What is an adjective, and what can they do for a story?
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Can you describe to a part what you think it would be like to walk through the Waterfly Woods?
2. Which other locations do you think might exist in the World of the Night Zoo?
3. What is an adjective, and what can they do for a story?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. Can you list the settings that were mentioned during the video?
2. Which were your favourite adjectives that you heard during the video?
3. Think about the character that you invented in the first lesson. Where do you think it lives and can you describe this setting to your partner?
Download this resource pack for more activities
1. Can you list the settings that were mentioned during the video?
2. Which were your favourite adjectives that you heard during the video?
3. Think about the character that you invented in the first lesson. Where do you think it lives and can you describe this setting to your partner?
Download this resource pack for more activities
A problem to address
The third video in this series focusses on creating a problem to address within a story. Students are given a variety of examples of problems that could occur in stories set in the Night Zoo. They are then asked to transfer these ideas and place them in stories that they are drafting.
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Think about your favourite story. Are there any problems in it that the main characters face?
2. What problems have you come up against in your life recently? Could these be included in a story?
3. Can you think of examples of problems that characters may face within adventure stories?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. What problem did Tom Rivers face in the video?
2. What problem did the Penguin Professor face in the video?
3. Can you think of a problem to include in your story?
4. When should you introduce the problem in a story? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end?
Download this resource pack for more activities
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Think about your favourite story. Are there any problems in it that the main characters face?
2. What problems have you come up against in your life recently? Could these be included in a story?
3. Can you think of examples of problems that characters may face within adventure stories?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. What problem did Tom Rivers face in the video?
2. What problem did the Penguin Professor face in the video?
3. Can you think of a problem to include in your story?
4. When should you introduce the problem in a story? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end?
Download this resource pack for more activities
solving the problem
The fourth video in this series highlights the need to solve the problem created during the previous lesson. Students are given examples of solutions to problems faced by the Night Zookeeper and his friends in the video and are asked to participate in an active game towards the end of the clip.
At the end of this lesson, students will be ready to write their first draft of the adventure story they have planned throughout the series.
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Think about a problem you have faced in your life. How did you solve this problem?
2. How could a Night Zookeeper solve the problem of being surrounded by evil monsters?
3. Think about a film you watched recently. How did the main characters solve a problem that they had?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. What solutions did you spot in the video?
2. What key structure should all good stories have?
3. Can you think of a solution that you will use in your story, based on the problem you created in the previous lesson?
4. When should you write about the solution in a story? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end?
Download this resource pack for more activities
At the end of this lesson, students will be ready to write their first draft of the adventure story they have planned throughout the series.
Key questions to ask before watching the video:
1. Think about a problem you have faced in your life. How did you solve this problem?
2. How could a Night Zookeeper solve the problem of being surrounded by evil monsters?
3. Think about a film you watched recently. How did the main characters solve a problem that they had?
Key questions to ask after watching the video:
1. What solutions did you spot in the video?
2. What key structure should all good stories have?
3. Can you think of a solution that you will use in your story, based on the problem you created in the previous lesson?
4. When should you write about the solution in a story? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end?
Download this resource pack for more activities
Writing Sparks is a new free creative writing tool from the creators of Night Zookeeper. Visit writingsparks.com for free, instant creative writing challenges. Each writing challenge is unique and perfect for your early morning or afternoon activity time.
You may also like to download this PDF that includes helpful planning templates and more information on Writing Sparks.
You may also like to download this PDF that includes helpful planning templates and more information on Writing Sparks.