Support student writing

Choose Your Own Adventures

Start with a shared brainstorming session, exploring a setting or central problem, building vocabulary, and unpacking key details. From there, each writer selects one of several paths to continue their own narrative. They might all travel to Mars but land in different locations or attend the same concert from distinct vantage points. Everyone begins together, yet each student crafts a unique story ending.

The Basics:

Start with the letter. This sets the scene for students and encourages them to explore their imagination through picture prompts and thought-provoking open-ended questions.

Brainstorm as a group. Make use of the bullet points provided to generate discussion, enhance vocabulary, and gather ideas for writing.

Explore the images. Click on each image to enlarge it, unveiling additional questions to help stimulate ideas for writing.

Choose your adventure. Inspire students to select their own unique adventure and unleash their creativity using the picture prompts as their muse.

Time to write. After choosing their adventures and collecting ideas, guide the students to dive into the writing process, employing the picture prompts to create their one-of-a-kind, imaginative narratives.

Revise, edit, share, celebrate!

Here are some additional tips for using the Choose Your Own Adventures Writing Experience:

Scribe Write brainstorming ideas so each student can easily access the information. Highlight key words and phrases.

Review Narrative Essentials Before beginning, remind students about basic story elements: a clear beginning, middle, and end, plus one main problem that’s eventually resolved. Keep it simple so they can focus on choices rather than juggling too many conflicts.

Model One Pathway Guide the class through a sample pathway to provide extra scaffolding. Demonstrate how to set up a scenario, introduce a problem, and suggest a solution. This concrete example acts as a blueprint for students who need more support.

Graphic Organisers Some students may flourish with open-ended freedom, while others benefit from graphic organisers to support their planning. Provide multiple entry points so everyone can participate at their comfort level.

Collaborative Writing Consider inviting students to work in pairs or small groups to develop their narratives. Shared writing encourages students to build on each other’s ideas, clarify plot points, and negotiate choices, skills that extend beyond creative writing.