Around Every Corner
Videogame adversaries have nothing on this morning’s challengers! Three heroes, sprung from the minds of these novelists, face ancient crypt dwellers, scary grave walkers or even Deep Blue Cheese in their quests to overcome death, solve murders or save a sister while simultaneously competing in a Mexican-cooking competition. A riotous morning is in store for readers who love adventure and appreciate when an active imagination can pin a great story down on the written page. Newsome, Scrimger and Sylvester show clearly that reading can be way more fun than staring at a video screen.
Curriculum Connection:
• engage their imagination to create a futuristic/fantasy land.
• research an unknown place.
• develop writing skills.
Activities:
1. Have students design a map of a completely new world or find a real-world place to recreate. Mark an area on the map with an X. This is where a special treasure will be.
2. Expand on the map and the things within it. What types of terrain will the character pass over? What kind of obstacles will they run into? People? Enemies and monsters? Draw the path that the character will be using to get to their destination.
3. Using the map created, write a story around it. What is the significance of the item? Is it an object or something less tangible such as a granted wish? Who is looking for it? Why? Does the character have a friend who accompanies them on their journey? Are they working against the clock?
4. After, ask students to think about the visual element of a story. Does it help to have the story visually laid out (such as television or video games)? How does having an image to go along with a story add to the writing or take away from it?
