The Web Haunt of Ryan K Lindsay

I’ve got an enrichment Year 5 class for the rest of this year. It’s only one term, so they’ve, apparently, learnt most of the Year 5 content to be covered, but there’s still more to go, plus I have a firm ideology that all learning is life-long, there’s no good time to stop or rest, you just do it in different ways.

So for my first major homework task I will be setting I wanted to make it writing based. I also wanted to make it fun, too much homework is rote or boring (the two are not necessarily married, but they can be). So I wrote down something that was interesting, and was interestingly presented to them as well. Teachers seem to think you can’t have fun anymore. I say nuts to them. I like talking to the older kids and spekaing like an interesting adult (when I can be one ) not just some goon they have to listen to. I want the kids to listen to me, I want them to love it when I stand up the front and drop some knowledge. I also want to give them that feeling when they read anything of mine.

I usually create my own sheets for classes, I’m not a massive fan of Black Line Masters, they’re a tad staid. I use my own examples and I word it in my own manner. Below is the writing task I am giving the kids two weeks to complete in their own time. I think it is engaging, informative, yet fun. I also hope that a few parents can have a laugh at it as well. I wonder what they’ll think? Sure, it’s different to the homework they’ve probably been given before, but does that make it a bad thing?

Yarn Spinning
Your set task to complete, if you are up to the challenge, is to create a story for me to read, appreciate, understand, process, internally discuss, and enjoy on many levels. You are to put your entire worth into this story; every drop of inspiration and brilliance will shine on the page like the glistening morning dew drops that collect on my daily paper as it sweats in its hermetically sealed environment, staying fresh for my bleary eyes only (like the simile I ran with there?). I’m not asking too much of you, but in essence I am asking for everything.

Your story must contain:
At least three (3) characters
An example of at least two (2) similes
An example of a metaphor
Reference to the number seven (7)
You story may contain:
Examples of personification
Examples of idiom, used correctly
A dazzling and daring display of descriptively dashing diatribes that could never be derided nor denied.
Alliteration
Anything else that you think will either make me laugh, make me cry, make me shocked or make me die
Iambic pentameter

Each story will be graded and placed under such scrutiny that my face may melt in concentration, if indeed this does occur simply wipe the smeared vestiges of my face off the paper and view your grade.

Stories should be about one page in length, I can see merit in going beyond but only doom awaits those who skimp under. Typed up manuscripts would be greatly appreciated, though not mandatory. Ensure that all pen and pencil scribbles are legible or else forfeit the right to be marked.

For those lacking inspirado look below for the visions you need!

Russian pig farmers turn into hammer wielding gods
A man hops onto a train only to find it’s next station is in another country
A werewolf takes a job as a night watchmen, of a church
Three young girls don’t sleep on Hallowe’en only to find it has turned them invisible
A Martian comes to Earth seeking help for his planet. All it finds is a kindy child
A lovely and charming teacher takes over your class for 4th term

The opportunities for specks of the brilliant to find themselves shining through the fog of the mundane everyday minutae are everywhere. You just have to want to see them.
Have fun writing!
You have until the end of week four, 6th November, to submit your tale.

It’s fun to turn heads. There is a new teacher in towne.

Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by ryan
Filed under: life, Writing