Space Write with Preston North East Primary

We hopped into our rocket and blasted off to the 100 Story Galaxy in search of new planets! Our co-pilot astronauts were grade 3/4 students from Preston Northeast Primary. With their spacesuits on and their favourite space pets with them, we began our workshop by visually planning a story of space exploration and along the way decided what challenges our courageous hero might encounter!

First step, draw yourself as a space explorer (including a space pet, spacesuit and space vehicle). The class directed our facilitator Ben to draw a monkey/dog pet (named: Mohamed Nico) and made sure they included in their space-pack (1) a very stylish pair of red running shorts and (2) a vegemite sandwich for lunch. Yum!

Next, we wrote down all the items listed in the “Discovery Journal” (very serious reporting task when exploring a new planet). The class decided the hero had found a room that makes videogames feel real, a fireflower, an animal that looks like a dragon crossed with a jaguar, and had met some of the local people, called the Leos.

During the exploration, our hero encounters some difficulties, mainly caused when Mohamed Nico, the pet monkey/dog, escapes and runs amok on the planet! Now our hero (and the class) must use their space-pack items to solve these issues.

Problem: The pet has knocked something over, starting a fire! (The planet is largely made of lava.)
Solution: Use the shorts to beat out the fire!

Problem: WHAT’S THAT?! A giant lion-turtle, has been sending a signal that led our hero to this planet. The class decoded message to read: "Hello, I am coming to your galaxy to destroy everything you love! I will see you in two days."
Solution: "Just don't love anything."

At the end of the workshop, students walked away with everything they needed to write a fully-fledged space opera/intergalactic hero’s journey/sci fi masterpiece: a comic booklet including a main character (space explorer), a unique space vehicle, a setting (a planet) and a rough plan for a story narrative!

To find out more about our professional learning program, write to our Program Manager Simon Conlon at simon@100storybuilding.org.au. 

We also offer online creative literacy workshops for students (with/without follow-up professional learning sessions). View here.