Expressions in English

50 word short stories

Students have been exploring short stories in Term 2.  They have been learning about the different elements that make a short story, like plot, setting and characters.  They have also been exploring picture books.  Their first assessment this term will be to write their own short story or picture book.  As part of their blogging, students were asked to write a short, short story (no more than 50 words in total).  Here is my own attempt.  It is actually harder to write these shorter stories than to write longer ones, as the students discovered for themselves.

The Final Straw

It was 11am.  The first student tapped his pen, endlessly.  The second student tore pages from her book, slowly and torturously.  The third student chewed gum, with a disgusting, slurping sound.
“That’s it! I’ve had it!” screamed the teacher.
She went crazy and ate them for lunch.

Why are we blogging?

I could write a long winded explanation, but this video from Will Richardson does it so much better.  Please follow this link for other downloadable video formats.

Poems

LOVE 

Love is Red. 

It tastes like mushy pineapple. 

Love smells like ripe mango. 

It looks like two cuddled up teddies. 

It sounds like soft, sweet harps. 

Love feels like a butterfly feeling that you get in your tummy.

By Sonya K

WITCH 

A witch is black 

She is the winter 

In a dungeon 

She is cloudy 

A witch in a black dress 

A cauldron 

She is a horror movie 

A box of rotten eggs 

By Lynden W

Bombs 

The planes took off across the land 

So close they could touch hands, 

Then they let the bombs fall down 

Which landed on old London town, 

Flames were burning everywhere 

And lots of people were in despair.

By Ryan L

Snake 

Scaly slimy 

Slithers slides strikes 

Stunned I ran away 

Startled 

By James U

Colts are the best club.
Opening batsman is very skilled
Loopy bowling gets wickets
Teamwork is required.
Sixes are hard to hit.
Colts under 13’s are the team I play for.
Reigning premiers in under 13’s are Marist.
I have an average of 45.00.
Colts win every premiership they are in.  
Keep playing cricket. 

Everyone loves colt’s cricket club.
The best sport is cricket.
Colts have 11 junior teams.
Leschenault cricket club finished fourth on the ladder.
Undefeated are champions like my team. 
B’ grades (Colts) are the reigning premiers.

By Jordan V
 

Joy
 

Joy is yellowy orange

It tastes like bubbly Champaigne

It smells like a fresh bed of flowers 

It looks like a mother and her new born baby 

It sounds like a bird chirping at 6:00am 

It feels like a huge tingle in your tummy

By Eve O 

Figurative Language

During Term 1, Year 8 students have been exploring the use of figurative language in their writing. We started with some simple forms such as alliteration and assonance, then moved onto more challenging forms such as similes, metaphors and personification.

Many students enjoyed the way that they could manipulate their own writing for a purpose. This particular topic seemed to unwrap the mystery of writing and it was like a secret they had finally been told.

I have personally enjoyed teaching this topic, and seeing the writing skills of the students developing, along with their enthusiasm and pride in their own creations. I hope you will also enjoy sharing the work they have done.