Children's Story Books

A recent topic we have been doing at school, is Children's Story Books. We first read lots of books and compared them. Then we looked at the language found in the story books and finally we wrote a plan.Our homework was to design them and make them. although mine is not quite yet completed, I am proud of it. Here is the story.




Melissa Murray was bored. So were Michael Murray, Marty Murray, Maisie Murray and Molly Murray. Even their dog, Muppet was bored. And the reason the children were bored was all because of Mum and Dad.

Mum and Dad had been about to book them a holiday to Mexico when they saw a holiday to the Maldives. Malaysia caught their eye and the jungle of Madagascar looked stunning. Mum and Dad took so long trying to decide that all the holidays were gone. Which left the Murray children at home bored stiff.

“What are we going to do?” said Michael
“What are we going to do?” said Marty
“What are we going to do?” said Maisie
“What are we going to do?” said Molly
“Whoof oof woof goof toof doof?” woofed Muppet

So Melissa thought
And thought
And thought.

And Michael thought
And thought
And thought.

Marty thought
And thought
And thought.

Maisie and Molly thought together (as they were the youngest) but nobody came up with anything. Even Muppet the dog sat still for a bit.

Then Melissa cried out. “I have an idea! We can go on holiday!”

“Where will we go? How will we pay? How will we get there? Can we go to Mexico? Will we go by plane? What about Muppet? Woof doof hoof?” questions rained down at her but Melissa smiled and said “My idea is very good but I will need lots and lots of help. Will you help me?”
“Of course we will,” they said.

“Okay then. Michael, you’re in charge of Mexico. Marty, the Maldives needs you. Maisie and Malaysia, you were born to be together. Molly, you and Muppet can work together on Madagascar. Now then team, let’s go!”

Michael went inside and got a sombrero, which is a Mexican hat. He put it on and danced around the garden. Michael went inside and pulled out a cactus and some sunglasses. He then went to the kitchen and after rummaging around in a cupboard, he found what he was looking for…a taco, the food of Mexico! 

The Maldives were the next stop. Marty was stuck for ideas so he looked in a book.    It said:

Maldives

There are over 1,200 coral islands, the Maldives lies Southwest of India. There are lots of sandy beaches and palm trees. Coconuts are grown and lots of fish are caught. Fishing is what the people do most.

Marty had an idea. Yesterday he had won a coconut at a fair. He got that and a tin of tuna. Marty then went over to the sandpit and emptied the sand on the ground around him. A perfect beach. He got a picnic blanket and set it out on the beach and then he relaxed, the Maldives were ready.

In Maisie’s head, she was already in Malaysia. Maisie was very clever and knew all about all the countries around the world. She looked in her brain, which was very cluttered. It said M-A-L-A-Y-S-I-A, orang-utan, palm trees, coconuts have fallen on people’s heads. 

Maisie went inside to the fridge and pulled off the magnets which said M-A-L---Y-S-I--- because there was only one A. She then went all the way to the Maldives and stole half of Marty’s coconut. After that Maisie went inside and found Molly’s toy orang-utan. She couldn’t resist just taking a sip from the coconut.

Molly and Muppet the dog were working on Madagascar. They went into Molly’s massive toy cupboard and pulled out a toy lemur and a chameleon. Muppet dragged the hammock out into the garden and they strung it up between the trees. Madagascar was ready for holiday!

They all met in Melissa’s bedroom. Michael, Marty, Maisie, Molly and Muppet looked up at Melissa. “We have Mexico, the Maldives, Malaysia and Madagascar. This is going to be the best holiday ever!” 

The children and Muppet all ran outside and played in Mexico with sombreros on, eating tacos. 

Next they travelled to the Maldives and relaxed on the sandy beaches. 

Malaysia and the orang-utans were so fun and the hammock and lemur just finished off the day for them in Madagascar. 

Finally, they went back inside and saw Mum and Dad sitting at the table “Melissa, Michael, Marty, Maisie, Molly and Muppet. All our little Murray’s.” said Mum. 

“We feel really bad about the holiday problem,” said Dad 

“So,” said Mum “We decided to go to Egypt!”

“Yippee!” cried everyone.

Yeah that is it. Obviously I am drawing stuff for it. It is aimed at a 7 year old and I just wondered what you think about it.

Thanks

Deadra xxx

Shiver, Linger and Forever

WOW! I have been googling it and I didn't realise how many people there were out there in love with it. I have found so many pictures of what the cast should look like and here are some of my favourites.

Sam Roth -- Logan Lerman
Grace Brisbane -- Emma Watson
Isabel Culpepper -- Ashley Benson
Cole St. Clair -- Aaron Johnson
Jack Culpepper -- Jake Abel
Olivia -- Lucy Hale/Selena Gomez
Rachel -- Aislinn Paul
Shelby -- Sasha Pieterse 


They are the actors in that clip. I think that Sam is good but I think I will always find it hard to think of Emma Watson as anyone other than Hermione, because of all the times I have watched the Harry Potters. Cole is great as Aaron Johnson and Isabel is good but I have seen a better picture of her as Taylor Momsen here:


http://mercyfallswolves.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/dream-cast-isabel-culpeper.html


I'm not sure which I prefer to be honest. Jack is perfect and in the first picture is expression is super! I think Olivia is not right, she should have dark hair but be quieter, the actor's in this are too loud looking. Shelby is good but a little too cute and good, she needs to look troubled and slightly mad. Rachel is great with a lovely smile.

This is quite good. I agree with Emma Watson when she is dressed like that. I totally disagree with the Sam (he is awful). Olivia is better in this than in the first one. Rachel is awful in this. Taylor Lautner (OMG he's sooo fit) he can be any one as long as he is in it for ages. Amanda Seyfried is too sweet looking to be Isabel. Shelby is okay in this but probably better in the first one. YES YES to Beck, he looks perfect! Grace's dad is great but looks too happy and Grace's mum is super but looks to thin and tall,, I imagined her a bit chubby. Ulrick is perfect (and I love Johnny Depp).

Here is another one, I'm not going to analyse it (but I have in my head). I love Cole in the second one sooo much!!!

This is the trailer. 


Now I am going to google Chace Crawford as I love him already!!


Deadra xxx

The seven types of story

I find this weird that there are all the millions of stories in the world and they supposedly all fit into one of the seven different plots. Here are the different plots and bits about them from suite101.

The Quest

The Quest story model revolves around a central protagonist striving to meet an all important and often far off goal. The hero cannot rest until this task has been completed. Along this journey the hero will be met with obstacles and forces trying to stop him from achieving his goal.

Examples of the this story model are The Lord of the Rings, Apocalypse Now, Raiders of the Lost Ark,

Voyage and Return

Much like the Quest, the Voyage and Return story type is based around a journey. In this plot type the hero is transported to another world and then back again. On this journey the protagonist learns things that give him a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Examples of Voyage and Return stories are Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver's Travels, Back to the Future, the Wizard of Oz.

Rebirth

In the rebirth story type the protagonist is often cast under some dark spell either instigated by himself or an outside force. The heroes liberation can only be achieved through the actions of other good forces. In these story types the redemptive power of love can be a liberating force. What is striking about the Rebirth story type is that the protagonists imprisonment is derived from something from within his own psyche.

Examples of the Rebirth story type are A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast.

Comedy

Defining the Comedy story archetype is problematic as in modern times the term has come to mean simply anything that is funny. Therefore stories constructed from the other basic plot types have been mistakenly termed comedies.

Aristotle described comedy as showing people to be worse than they are and tragedy as showing people to be greater than they are. In the classic definition of Comedy plots the characters are thrown into a state of confusion, darkness and bewilderment where resolution can only come when these constricting factors have been played out to their extremes.

Comedy examples are All’s Well That Ends Well, When Harry Met Sally, Some Like It Hot.

Tragedy

In Aristotelian tragedy the central character is an individual (usually of great status) who goes through a series of actions and decisions that unwittingly brings about their own downfall. This downfall is supposed to provoke feelings of pity and fear in the audience and end in a catharsis or what is sometimes called a “purging” of emotion.

Examples of Tragedy are Hamlet. Carlito’s Way, Macbeth, Oedipus the King.

Overcoming the Monster

In Overcoming the Monster stories the hero/heroes must overcome a dark evil creature/person/entity that has exerted an evil destructive force over a place, persons or people.

Examples of this plot are The Silence of the Lambs, Dracula, Jaws, Hansel and Gretel.

Rags to Riches

In Rags to Riches plots the central character is seemingly plucked from nothing to greatness where he/she is very often rich and of immense status. In this story type the hero very often gets quick success which is swiftly taken away from him/her. In order for him/her to return to this “rich” state the protagonist must very often defeat a foe of some kind.

Examples of this story type are Aladdin, Cinderella, Great Expectations.

Read more at Suite101: What are the Seven Basic Plot Definitions?: Writing Creative Stories Using Classic Plot Archetypes and Models | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/what-are-the-seven-basic-plot-definitions-a58402#ixzz1yXYnEAXD


Yeah I just found that weird and interesting and as they were mentioned today I wanted to find out exactly what they all were.


Thanks for reading (or not)

Deadra xxx

Writing Memories

Today, we discussed our early memories of writing and to be honest, I found it really hard to remember things about writing. I found reading a whole lot easier.

I didn't learn to read before I started school, because my mum had been told not to teach me (I'm not sure why) and so she didn't. Here is the free writing (scribbles) that I came up with to do with early writing memories.

What are the first things you can remember about writing?

Thumb size words apart and the letter E writing and in maths one word in each box but was later annoying.

(I told you it was scribbles)

Can you remember praise or criticism you have been given whilst writing?

writing memories have flown away like when you play scattergories and I wrote too much and rambled and i always wrote the word then and got banned and my writing slanted across the page and the very hungry caterpillar with Issy and Ella and taking long time to miss lessons.

I cant't remember this question but this is my answer:

4 in sats Uh Oh!

Material, possessions and relationships from writing:

my Greek myth book group writing group consequences


Don't say I didn't warn you, I SAID IT WAS SCRIBBLES!! But, now I am going to turn it into something else (but I'm not sure what yet).

Thumb print scribbles
All over my work
Angry scowls and
Contended smirk

Writing doesn't always
Work the way you want
But just take time out
Or pick a different font

Sometimes memories
Are hard to catch
They flick and run
Swish and snatch

Rambling is
What I do best
Slants across the page
No room for all the rest

One box
One word
Annoying
Things not to be heard

4 in sats
Big oops!
Doodles in books
Lines and loops

Writing is always
A part of my life
You can be safe at home
Or on the edge of a knife!

By Me!!

Wow I am pleased with that. Thanks for reading.

Deadra xxx

Dreaming

I'm not going to lie, I love dreaming. It's the way you can live a totally unrealistic and often amazing life inside your head. In an RE lesson recently, we were discussing 'Are dreams real?' and it got us all thinking about dreams and what was real and what was not and it was very very deep! I can't always remember my dreams when I wake up, but I can sort of remember an idea of what they were, or who they had in them. I do however, have some dreams that I can remember from years ago. There are also loads of songs about dreams such as 'Beautiful nightmare' (above) and I was just wondering what everyone's opinion actually is about dreams.

Here are some of the questions we got asked in RE and some more which I have come up with on my own:

Are dreams real?

How do they link to life?

Are they just memories (or memories of thoughts)?

Are the people in your dreams in the world somewhere?

Is it true that if you dream you fall and you haven't woken up before you hit the floor then you die?

Can you dream the future?

Do you dream in black or white or colour?


Here is my theory on dreams and what I think to those questions.

I think that when you are asleep your mind is still awake and your body is resting. Your mind dreams to allow your body to rest but sometimes when your dream is really powerful, your mind tricks your body into believing that it is places that it isn't. Sometimes the connection between mind and body is stronger and you will move your body as you dream (for example sleepwalking). Your mind is always stronger than your body as it never rests.


Are dreams real?
Yes they are real, but they are just your mind finding things and making something of it.

How do they link to life?
They are all memories, but not necessarily things you have done, they can be things you have imagined by reading books, or just thoughts you have had, or an idea.

Are they just memories (or memories of thoughts)?
That is answered in the question above.

Are the people in your dreams in the world somewhere?
It depends. If they are all memories then almost certainly yes. However, the people could be parts of people you either know or have read about. If they are storybook characters then they would probably not be real but are often based on people and would be linked to the author.

Is it true that if you dream you fall and you haven't woken up before you hit the floor then you die?
I think this is true but obviously it is impossible to tell because you would be dead (unless you have dreamt it, pleasepleaseplease say so if you have).

Can you dream the future?
Yes, if it is memories then probably because people never learn from mistakes so it will continue to happen for a while.

Do you dream in black and white or colour?
I think I dream in colour but I might occasionally dream in black and white.

This is link to do with the science of dreams:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/inside-the-mind/dream.htm

There are also ways to interpret dreams and here are some of them:

Worry Dreams

You're being chased, but not sure who is chasing you = You're way too busy and you need to slow down

You keep looking for something but you can't find it = There is something in your life you need to sort out

You make a phone call but the buttons don't work and the person can't hear you = You need to get something off your chest

You're about to take a test but realise you have missed all the work and you cannot pass = You have too many things on your plate

You're out when you realise you are naked but no-one else notices = A new experience is making you anxious but nobody else knows

Your teeth fall out = you are self concious about the way you look


WOW that is sooooo long. I hope you found it interesting (I did! finding out about it) and please leave your answers to those questions so we can see how everyone else dreams.

Deadra xxxx

I ♥ Linger soooo much

Wow! I am reading the book by Maggie Stiefvater and I am addicted. I have read the first book in the series and I have been wanting to read the others for AGES but I haven't got round to ordering them from the library. In the holidays I finally did it and I will never regret that. I ordered Linger (the 2nd book) and Forever (the last book). I am half way through Linger and I am in love! To tell you the truth I would much rather be reading it than doing this but I feel I need to bring you up to date a bit.

Deadra (I am now of to do my maths homework and then READ!!!)

How many...??

This is linked to my previous blog. A question asked 20 years ago might have been 'How many of you own a TV?' Now a more realistic question, due to the current time would be 'How many TV's do you own?'

I was just wondering actually the answer to that question.

How many TV's do you have in your house?
How many computers do you have in your house?
How many phones do you have in your house?
How many hours a week do you watch TV for?
How many hours a week do you spend in front of a computer screen?

And then there is:

How many times a week do you play sports?
How many hours a week do you spend reading?
How much time do you spend playing with siblings?

You are all probably not the least bit concerned but here is what I think we will turn out like

Well, I hope not but I think it is quite likely.

Now enough on the human race becoming fat things who cannot get off their own bums, lets talk about something positive.

When helping my Nanna and Grandad tidy their cupboards, we (my brother and I) came across loads of calenders. We are going to cut out the pictures and make a scrapbook with them.

I will hopefully be able to upload some pictures of the scrapbook when we are done.

Deadra xxxx

Diamond Jubilee Review

I must admit, that I didn't watch much of the Jubilee, I only watched part of the pageant on the boats. Above this are some videos which show the highlights of the Jubilee (IF they work). But the whole 60 years got me thinking a bit and it linked to something I had read in my brothers magazine. This is what I read and it made me think that 60 years ago they would have been so different. I find these lists quite worrying:

TOP TEN THINGS CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 13 CAN DO:
1. Work a DVD player 67%
2.  Log onto the internet 58%
3. Play computer games on games console (WII, XBOX or similar) 50%
4. Make a phone call 46%
5. Use a handheld games console (Nintendo DSI, PSP or similar) 45%
6. Use an IPhone (or smartphone) 42%
7. Wok Sky Plus 41%
8. Send a text message 38%
9. Search for clips on You Tube 37%
10. Use an IPad (or tablet computer) 31%


TOP TEN THINGS CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 13 CAN'T DO:
1. Recognise 3 types of butterfly 91%
2. Repair a puncture 87%
3. Tie a reef knot 83%
4. Read a map 81%
5. Build a camp fire 78% / Put up a tent 78.5%
6. Spot a blackbird, sparrow or robin 72%
7. Make papier mache 71%
8. Make a cup of tea 65%
9. Build a den 63%
10. Climb a tree 59%


That worried me a lot.
And the reason it linked the diamond jubilee was something I said to my mum yesterday. I had got tippex on my top and my mum googled the answer of how to get it off (It said use white spirit and we got it off) and then I said "If this had been 60 years ago you would have had to cope without the internet" or something along those lines. My point is that 60 years ago there was not computers in every house, with internet access at the ready. I would not be able to be writing this blog, you would not be able to be reading it. And referring to those lists, where will we be in another 60 years time. Will we all be robots, only able to operate technical machines. Will things like tree climbing and reading be lost to us?

Only time will tell...


Deadra xxxx

Jubilant Ekphrasis (Other people photos)

Here is the link to the picture I am going to write about:




http://peterchoke.blogspot.co.uk/

It is the second picture down, of the daises in the field.


I am going to write a diary entry as the daisy and how the rein of the Queen has effected daisies.


Dear Diary,


Daisy picking time has started again! Picking seems such a harmless word, (and to the great stomping oafs, which clomp around and trample us to death) it is. But to us it definitely isn't! Just yesterday I lost Daffy, Donald, Duggie and Drogbal (my 2nd cousin) to those soles! But the worst thing is when it is deliberate, oh how it annoys me! When silly little children tear us always from our life source to make NECKLACES! They call them daisy chain and they think that they are pretty! I mean shoes are made of dead cows and are they pretty? Is chicken just before you eat it (and just a few hours ago it was flapping around a yard) pretty? Dannielle and I were having a rather loud (in daisy standards) conversation about this and then my rude old Granny DooDaa cam and said: "Oh thy should be very happy that thy are pretty when you are dead" 
I nearly blew my top I can tell you. Oh well, she probably will be dead soon so at least she thinks she'll be pretty then.


Anyway, what was the topic I was talking about? Oh yes, Granny DooDaa said to us toady that a joyous event was occurring and that we were all to rejoice in delight. She then promptly wilted and we all had to play 'Pass the Glucose'. I didn't enjoy that at all, as I worked especially hard for that. :( Doodaa finally recovered and then rambled for some 10 minutes about her weak heart. Personally, i think her heart is no weaker than anyone else's. After this she decided that she would enlighten us all on what she had heard. "The Queen is having thy 60th year on thy dearest throne and the must cheer in glorious delight" (sorry for the awful grammar, that's how she speaks). 


So after interrogating her for half an hour she finally told us that it was the Queens diamond Jubilee in a week. Everyone seemed thrilled but I for one, was not! Don't we get picked often enough as it is. I heard some people talking about us today and they dropped a list on the floor. It said:


Flower Array:
Pick daisies for 

• Children's garlands x750
• Adult's garlands x 500
• Queen's carriage x 10000
• Horse decorations x 30000

I was in shock! They would have to pick 41250 daisies just for this 'Jubilee'. I have to tell my family and somehow, we will have to escape to safety.

Bye Diary

It may be the last time I can write in you for a while, if we do have to escape.

Delilah xxxxxxx

Well, that was my take on the Diamond Jubilee from the life of a daisy. Having written that I don't think I will be able to bring myself to pick another daisy ever again.

Thank you for reading

Deadra xxxx

Jubilant Ekphrasis (Photos)

Ekphrasis

Now I'm sure that only about 1 in 10000000 people know what that word means, and until about half and hour ago, I was definitely one of the 10000000 people.

This is a definition copied from Set The Darkness Echoing

web page here: http://setthedarknessechoing.blogspot.co.uk/

"It comes to us from Ancient Greece, and relates to the idea of writing inspired by or about art or visual images. The ekphrastic tradition is more complex than that, but we can it in its modern form all over the place in English Literature. Some of my favourites include the poems I Would Like to be a Dot in a Painting by Miro by Monica Alzi and Musee des Beaux Arts by WH Auden."
As I'm sure you all know, this week is (trumpet blast please)...

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee!

To mark the occasion, our head teacher had us all wearing red, white and blue. We were even allowed to (temporarily) dye our hair although I opted out of that one. Our challenge for today was to take a photograph of something that captures the essence of this idea. We post 3 of these on our blog and then use someone else's photograph to write our own piece.

Here are the three pictures I chose out of 43 which I took.

I hope you like them