Our experienced practitioners can deliver writing workshops for pupils within school. We can cater for any needs from an hour-long taster to a full residency of several days or weeks. Typical workshops are described here, but others can be arranged to suit your circumstances. Please contact us to discuss your particular requirements.

Adventure Island

Facilitator Helen Whitehead

In this workshop we explore the possibilities of hypertext to create a narrative that allows the reader to explore and make choices. The island is published on the Internet using our free tool available. Pupils create challenges and puzzles for visitors to an online island to solve. Adventure Island is a flexible tool which can be used in a variety of ways to suit the age and stage of those participating. Cash in on the popularity of "Lost" to create your own island adventure!

Appropriate for: Groups of up to 36. (offered at Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Transition from Yr 6 to Yr 7, Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 4).

Length of time required: Half a day minimum (in school) or a mixture of one hour plus online support. Preferably spread over a period of time.

Technology required: Each pupil will enter their own work on the website (via a passworded interface) so will need access to an Internet connected computer. Data projector or interactive whiteboard.

Extensions: During this workshop we can train teachers to use the free tool so that they can use it with other classes at a later date. The project can also be used with Digital Photography or Digital Video.

Adventure Island website (more information on curriculum links are given there). Example islands can be viewed.

Dragonsville

Facilitator Helen Whitehead

In this workshop pupils explore the virtual town of Dragonsville. Writing activities will be chosen to suit the year group and stage involved and may include writing reports, joining in online discussions, writing letters, creating stories, writing character portraits or biographies and branching stories. Work will be displayed by the end of the day or shortly afterwards on the website - we recommend a sharing with the rest of the school at the end of the day.

Appropriate for: Small groups up to whole class (offered at Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, or Key Stage 3).

Length of time required: One lesson minimum (in computer lab), or half a day. One class at a time.

Technology required: Each pupil will enter their own work on the website (via a web form pending approval) so will need access to an Internet connected computer. Data projector or interactive whiteboard.

Extensions: Combine our workshop with a twilight talk to the whole school staff to enable everyone to continue to use the website after the workshop.

Dragonsville website (more information on curriculum links is given in teachers' notes there)

Hypertext Haiku

Facilitator Helen Whitehead

In this workshop we will look at the Japanese haiku form and create a collaborative hyperlinked haiku published on the Internet by the end of the day.

Appropriate for: 6, 12 or 18 individuals, pairs or groups. (Offered at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and adult level).

Length of time required: One hour minimum. Preferably two hours/half a day..

Technology required: Minimum of one Internet-connected computer per group, preferably one each. Data projector or interactive whiteboard.

Recommendations: Can be given as part of a general introduction to digital writing, and has been offered successfully at conferences and training days.

Hypertext Haiku website

Monster Motel

Facilitator Helen Whitehead

In this workshop pupils will create descriptions/character portraits or biographies of monsters.

Appropriate for: From small groups to whole class. (offered at Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 or Key Stage 3).

Length of time required: One lesson minimum (in computer lab) or double lesson. One class at a time.

Technology required: Each pupil will enter their own work on the website (via a passworded interface) so will need access to an Internet connected computer.

Extensions: teachers can learn to use the free tool so that they can use it with other classes at a later date.

Monster Motel website (or see more information on Monster Motel curriculum links)