Writing · Listening
Class story chain
The whole class writes one story, a sentence each, about a job that goes well because it started well.
- 20 minutes
- Whole class
- Ages 7–9, Ages 9–12
- Classroom
- Printable: writing page
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: well begun is half done.
- As a class, choose a job for the story. Building a den, baking a cake, planning a party.
- The teacher writes the first sentence, about how the character gets ready.
- The pen passes round. Each pupil reads the sentence before theirs and adds one more. Keep it short.
- When everyone has written, the teacher reads the whole story aloud.
- Ask the class where in the story the good start helped.
Questions to talk about
- Which sentence changed the story the most?
- What would have happened if the character had not started well?
You will need
- The printed story page, or a long strip of paper
- A pen that passes from pupil to pupil
Make it fit
Simpler: Pupils say their sentence aloud and the teacher writes it.
More of a stretch: Half way round, the teacher adds a problem, and pupils must show how the good start helps solve it.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The writing page
Class story chain
Name
Read the sentence before yours, then add one more. Keep it short.
- The job in our story is ...
- To get ready, they ...
The instructions card
How to run it · Writing · Listening
Class story chain
The whole class writes one story, a sentence each, about a job that goes well because it started well.
20 minutesWhole classAges 7–9, Ages 9–12
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning: well begun is half done.
- As a class, choose a job for the story. Building a den, baking a cake, planning a party.
- The teacher writes the first sentence, about how the character gets ready.
- The pen passes round. Each pupil reads the sentence before theirs and adds one more. Keep it short.
- When everyone has written, the teacher reads the whole story aloud.
- Ask the class where in the story the good start helped.
You will need
- The printed story page, or a long strip of paper
- A pen that passes from pupil to pupil
Talk about
- Which sentence changed the story the most?
- What would have happened if the character had not started well?
Make it fit
Simpler: Pupils say their sentence aloud and the teacher writes it.
Stretch: Half way round, the teacher adds a problem, and pupils must show how the good start helps solve it.
Goes with the printable writing page.