Teachwire Talks - Are you smarter than a Stone Age engineer?

Introduce a fresh approach to storytelling in your classroom with this engaging creative writing unit, where KS2 pupils reimagine classic fairy tales for a modern audience. Across the sequence, children examine how well-known characters and narratives can be updated, helping traditional stories feel meaningful and exciting for today’s readers. This fully resourced unit includes carefully selected clips from the Author in Your Classroom podcast featuring Konnie Huq. These extracts support each stage of learning, offering insight into the creative process of a professional author and illustrator while encouraging pupils to develop their own storytelling voice. Teaching overview Structured over four linked sessions, the unit takes pupils from exploring familiar tales through to crafting their own original narratives. Children begin by revisiting traditional fairy tales, identifying core elements such as character, setting and theme. Using podcast clips, they consider how writers adapt these features for contemporary audiences, introducing humour, unexpected twists and diverse representation. Pupils then plan their own updated versions of fairy tales, aiming to surprise the reader while retaining recognisable story foundations. The sequence concludes with drafting, editing and refining a complete piece of writing, supported by peer discussion and reflection. By the end of the unit, pupils will feel more confident as writers and gain a clearer understanding of how stories can be reshaped while still respecting their origins.

In this comprehensive teaching sequence, Joseph Coelho introduces KS2 pupils to poetry, showing how simple prompts can spark ideas and lead to powerful performances. Built around an episode of the Author in Your Classroom podcast, the unit supports children in exploring what poetry is and how it works. Pupils read, listen, write and refine their own pieces, guided by insights from the Children’s Laureate and equipped with techniques they can use straight away. Teaching overview The sequence begins by looking at Coelho’s journey as a poet and his belief that poetry belongs to everyone. Pupils listen to a performance of This Bear, discuss their responses and consider how delivery shapes meaning. They then experiment with performing poetry themselves, making notes and sharing with peers. Next, pupils explore a ‘poetry toolbox’, identifying figurative language and key techniques within the text. By annotating and discussing Coelho’s choices, they begin to understand how poets create impact. The focus then shifts to idea generation. Using short video prompts, pupils gather words, images and phrases, recording their thoughts on planning sheets. These ideas form the foundation for their own writing as they begin drafting with increasing confidence. Attention then turns to editing and improvement. Pupils revisit their work, enhancing vocabulary, adding detail and refining techniques to better achieve their intended effect. The unit concludes with performance and publication. Pupils share their poems, celebrate each other’s work and leave with a strong sense of themselves as poets.

Deliver an inspiring virtual author experience through an engaging episode of the Author in Your Classroom podcast featuring Michael Rosen. Centred on his anthology On the Move, the session explores themes of migration and identity. Rosen explains how daydreaming can unlock ideas and voice, encouraging young writers to “make it personal” a principle that underpins the entire unit. Pupils study Rosen’s poem The Migrants in Me, responding both emotionally and analytically to its themes. Carefully chosen podcast extracts introduce each stage of learning, while supporting resources, including planning sheets, idea cards and working wall materials, promote independent writing. Teaching overview This four-part unit develops pupils’ poetic skills progressively. The first session introduces daydreaming as a creative strategy, allowing pupils to generate ideas by following their thoughts and linking them to personal experiences, inspired by Rosen’s approach. In the second session, pupils focus on imagery and figurative language. They explore similes, metaphors, personification and idioms, examining how Rosen creates vivid and memorable images. The third session centres on drafting original poetry. Pupils select their preferred form and shape their writing carefully, drawing on personal memories and emotions. The final session focuses on refinement and sharing. Pupils perform their poems, offer feedback and improve selected lines. A class recital provides an opportunity to celebrate their work and build confidence. By the end of the unit, pupils will understand how Michael Rosen crafts authentic, personal poetry. They will recognise the value of daydreaming in the creative process and feel ready to write poems with meaning and purpose.