A Whole School Writing Root for The Fox and the Star

Main Outcome(s):

Predictions, a wanted poster, letters of advice and story sequels or stories from an alternative viewpoint. 

Length:

10+ sessions, 2+ weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

This is a two-week plus, Whole School Writing Root for The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith. In this stylishly illustrated story, we hear of a fox whose only friend is a star. But then one day Star is nowhere to be seen. Fox embarks upon a literal and metaphorical journey to find his star. The story is as much about friendship as it is about self- discovery and resilience. In this planning sequence, the story is shared, children explore the meaning of the title and the context of night-time and stars, going on to sort facts. They discuss ideas on friendship and then help Fox by giving him advice as to how he should find Star. Literary language is explored and children experiment with different kinds of noun phrases and other descriptive devices. Once the story has been shared, the structure is stripped down to the bare bones and this is then used for the children to plan their own version narrative about another nocturnal creature and either a star, planet or the moon. This creature OR the element of space and the solar system is researched and a fact-sheet/Wikipedia page/explanatory leaflet is written before importing some of this content into the stories that the children write. 

This resource has been designed to be used by an entire school to foster a shared learning experience around one text and to engender written outcomes – some with the same audiences and purposes, some not – that are ‘at pitch’ for each phase/stage but that will also aid revision, catch-up and extension where (and in whichever form) needed. We have planned for activities at different stages, grouped into key-stages: Reception with Year 1, Year 2 with Year 3 and then Year 4 to Year 6, or grouped simply into EYFS with KS1 and KS2. Where this is the grouping, there are opportunities for differentiation within to ensure that the pitch of sessions is appropriate. The resource is intended to form the basis upon which schools and teachers can create and shape a sequence of learning that will work well in their context. The sessions could be added to with art activities and through further learning in PSHE, science, geography and history. 

Synopsis of Text:

'Once there was a Fox who lived in a deep, dense forest. For as long as Fox could remember, his only friend had been Star, who lit the forest paths each night. But then one night Star wasn't there, and Fox had to face the forest all alone...'

Links:

Foxes, stars, forests