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Learn how to write successful stories and weave tales of magic and comedy like a true literary great with our Spotlight on Weaving Tales. Weaving Tales is about storytelling, and the skills you need to create a good story yourself.

On the Spotlight homepage you’ll find an Agatha Christie Activities, Prewriting FYI, and a Similes & Metaphors Activities.

The topics highlighted for Weaving Tales include:

• Charles Dickens
• Frankenstein
• Homer
• Idioms & Cliches
• Lord of the Flies
• Mood & Tone – NEW!
• Poetry
• Prewriting
• Roald Dahl
• Similes & Metaphors
• Show not Tell
• Types of Writing
• The Writing Process

Don’t forget about a couple of author movies not featured in the Spotlight:

Agatha Christie – Was it the butler in the pantry with the candlestick … or was it the judge in the library with the noose? Agatha Christie knows!

Let Tim and Moby introduce you to the life and work of one of the most prolific mystery writers of the 20th century, and the best-selling fiction writer of all time. You’ll meet her two most famous characters, Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. You’ll learn about two of her most popular novels, as well as some of the major themes and ideas dealt with in her stories. Finally, find out why her works continue to be so popular. The only thing we won’t tell you is who-dunnit!

William Shakespeare – To be or not to be? Tim and Moby introduce you to the life and work of the remarkable, mysterious William Shakespeare.

You’ll not only learn about his early life but will find out how many plays and sonnets he wrote and why he’s sometimes considered the most influential writer in Western literature. You’ll learn which plays he’s best remembered for and why they are so popular. If people are still reading them 400 years later, they must be pretty good!

Extra activities include:

Teachers as Storytellers – telling stories should be more than just reading from a book at the end of the day – but why?

12 Top Tips for Telling a Story – how to impress your listeners, maintain attention and weave a good tale.

10 Story starters – everybody’s got to start somewhere. Play these audio clips from Roger Hurn for a little inspiration.

‘What is your character like?’ – an audio recording of Roger Hurn’s poem to get you thinking about characterisation.

There’s so much fun to be had weaving a tale, you best get started now!

Related Posts:

• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• Spotlight on Creative Writing
• Movie Competition Prizes
• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• What is your character like?

Roger Hurn visited the BrainPOP UK office recently to weave a tale or two for us. Inspired by ideas for our Tim & Moby movie competition, we decided to try out green screening for the first time.

Luckily, we have a Mac in the office with iMovie and iMovie has a green screen function included. And, also luckily, it’s perfect for beginners. We hot-footed it out to the wilds of Summertown, acquired a green tablecloth, threw it over our Whiteboard, and we were set.

So, here are the fruits of our labour [Roger's] for you to enjoy. We hope these short, short stories and story starters inspire some of you to get movie making!

Story starter – It’s behind you!

Story starter – I thought I was right…

Story starter – The Door

Story starter – The Last Man Left Alive

Story starter – The Wise Guy

Story starter – The Holiday

Short, short story – The Skillful Tailor

Short, short story – The Skeleton

Short, short story – Hard Times

Short, short story – The Giant

Short, short story – Top Dog

Visit the Making Movies Spotlight >>>

Related Posts:

• Teachers as Storytellers
• Spotlight on…Making Movies
• What is your character like?
• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story

We had a fun day recording with Roger Hurn for our Spotlight on Weaving Tales. One of the highlights of our day was when he recorded his own poem, ‘What is your character like?’, for us.

We hope that you can use it in a creative writing lesson to get the kids thinking about characterisation.

E.g. Moby is an orange, cheeky, fun-loving, curious robot who loves hanging out with his best friend, Tim.

Oh, and he beeps a lot!

Related Posts:

• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• Teachers as Storytellers
• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story
• 10 Story Starters
• Spotlight on Weaving Tales

Bonfire Night was our first UK specific movie for BrainPOP UK so it has a very special place in our hearts. Not only is it our featured movie this week, we’ve got an exciting tale to share with you all.

When we were remembering remembering we got a surprising call from the staff at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. The staff had been moving books, scripts and other reference materials to an expansive new warehouse in Swindon when they happened along a faded scroll. They knew to give us a call before packing it up. It looked to be centuries old.

Upon receiving it, we handled it delicately; upon reading it, we couldn’t quite believe what our dynamic duo had been up to once again.

Now, where did we put that ruff?

November 5th, 1605

“Me thinks that could very well be the most glorious site in all of Christendom, Mobyville!” proclaimed Timothy Cromwell.

Mobyville nodded as he took in the prospect across the Thames of Westminster Palace. He seemed in a sombre mood much and Timothy well understood.

In the Crowbottom Inn the previous eve, Timothy had come to overhear a most dreadful discussion; one which would lead him to believe the King was in danger! He called upon his faithful companion, Mobyville, collected their trustie steeds from the stables and galloped all the way to London town. Upon passing the Tower of London, Timothy had a most ominous feeling that chilled him to the tips of his leather boots. He pulled his cape tighter around him.

After such a long journey, there was no time for hesitation. The forthright companions alighted and made way on foot towards the belly of the Palace, where they felt certain to find a wretched soul in need of education and guidance.

‘Beepeth beepeth!’ Mobyville whispered. He’d spotted the cellar door which stood ajar.

‘Who goes there?!’ shouted a nervous voice from within. Timothy push-ed the door open with a BANG!

‘Lo! Thou distempered flea-biting baggage! What manner of treachery is this?’ Timothy exclaimed.

A scruffy man stood before them guarding what looked like barrels and barrels of gunpowder. ‘Tis not what you think goodly sires! I merely stand guard o’er these here barrels for t’other goodly sire, Robert Catesby.’

Before he could provide any further excuse - for Timothy was convinced the barrels were intended to destroy the very building they stood in – Mobyville produced a majestic item. A small fairie-like screene danc-ed with bright lights afore them. ’Hast thou a name?’ commanded Timothy.

‘Guy Fawkes,’ the stranger gulped. Timothy handed over the glowing article.

‘Master Fawkes, thou hold’st in your hand, an iPad. ‘Tis from the future. T’will speak of events yet to occur. These are BrainPOPs. They will educate thee. With education, thou may changeth your fate…’ Timothy dazzled Fawkes with a tale of his very own life. A frightening fate awaited him if he was set upon his dangerous plot. And goodly folks would celebrate his end for hundreds of years to come!

‘What am I to do?’ As Guy Fawkes struggled with his conscience, there came the sound of hurried footsteps outside and a cry of ‘God Save the King!’ With that, his enlightening companions seemed to be sucked in to the iPad as it fell from his hands to the dustie ground, screen ablaze.

A King’s Guard pushed Fawkes to the hard ground, holding a sword to his throat. ‘What, pray tell, have we chanced upon here? In the name of the King, I spy gunpowder! And have ye not just thrown down a torch to light them with? Treason!’

‘The torch bores no flame, tis an iPad…’ pleaded Fawkes. But before he could defend himself, two guards rushed forth and seized him.

‘To the Tower for thee, villainous wretch!’

And as Fawkes was dragged from his post, he looked to the heavens and bawled, ‘If only I had listened to the BrainPOPpers!’

Fancy weaving a historical tale yourself? You’ll find lots of hints, tips and handy links in our Weaving Tales Spotlight.

Related Posts:

• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• What is your character like?
• Teachers as Storytellers
• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story

Learn how to write successful stories and weave tales of magic and comedy like a true literary great with our Spotlight on Weaving Tales. Weaving Tales is about storytelling, and the skills you need to create a good story yourself.

On the Spotlight homepage you’ll find an Agatha Christie Graphic Organiser, the Prewriting FYI, and a Similes & Metaphors Activity.

The topics highlighted for Weaving Tales include:

• Agatha Christie
• Charles Dickens
• Frankenstein
• Homer
• Idioms & Cliches
• Lord of the Flies
• Poetry
• Prewriting
• Roald Dahl
• Similes & Metaphors
• Show not Tell
• Types of Writing
• The Writing Process

Extra activities to do on POP Spot, as well as a heap of helpful web links, include:

Make a Tim & Moby movie competition – weave a tale then make the movie!

Teachers as Storytellers – telling stories should be more than just reading from a book at the end of the day – but why?

12 Top Tips for Telling a Story – how to impress your listeners, maintain attention and weave a good tale.

10 Story starters – everybody’s got to start somewhere. Play these audio clips from Roger Hurn for a little inspiration.

‘What is your character like?’ – an audio recording of Roger Hurn’s poem to get you thinking about characterisation.

There’s so much fun to be had weaving a tale, you best get started now!

Related Posts:

• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story
• Sparking imaginations with story cubes
• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• Teachers as Storytellers

BrainPOP UK believes that telling stories should be more than just reading from a book at the end of the day. Why?

Roger Hurn explains why teachers have an essential role in maintaining and creating our cultural heritage. Whether it be sitting around a single person, listening; group story telling; digital storytelling – using art, music, animation, etc; or playing games built around narrative, Roger Hurn suggests that teachers are inheritors of a tradition as old as the campfire.

Roger Hurn has been a primary school teacher, a deputy head teacher, a head teacher, a university lecturer and a teacher trainer. Roger has also been a consultant advisor to the Home Office and the Children’s Directorate on how to help children develop a positive attitude to school. Roger is now a full-time writer and storyteller and has travelled all over the UK and beyond making author visits to schools. His book East of the Sun, West of the Moon was chosen by Scholastic as one of their ‘Great Read’ books for World Book Day 2009. Roger has also written two series of the best selling Mystery Mob books for less able readers as well as a wide range of educational resources.

Related Posts:

• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• What is your character like?
• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story
• 10 Story Starters

Storyteller and author, Roger Hurn, has provided some top tips for telling a story just for you BrainPOPpers! Pay heed to all for storytelling success…

1. You must care about the story you tell. If you don’t then your listeners won’t either.

2. Have an attention grabbing opening.

3. Have a small number of characters. (Avoid War and Peace.)

4. Choose a story with a logical structure. (A beginning, middle and end usually works best.)

A storyboard for the beginning of our Queen movie

5. Keep the story moving with plenty of action.

Run, Moby, run!

6. Only use telling details that advance the story.

7. Have a satisfying ending. (A good story resolves tension.)

We love the end of our Einstein movie!

8. Robin Williams might be able to pull it off with style but don’t put on too many voices. (You’ll only mix up your Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort.)

9. Be very careful if you invite the children to join in. (You’ll be giving them a licence to kill your story.) Take heed from Black Books.

10. Don’t ask the children questions while telling your story. (If you do you may get an answer you didn’t want. Or two. Or three. Or ten.)

11. Don’t surround yourself with props…or costumes. (They break, bite or fall on your foot.)

12. Don’t use microphones or special effects. (You’ll only electrocute yourself or disappear in a puff of smoke.)

Alakazzam!

Related Posts:

• Spotlight on Weaving Tales
• 10 Story Starters
• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• What is your character like?
• Teachers as Storytellers

Each of these 10 story starters from Roger Hurn should get your imagination going. Simply play a clip and finish the story!

Story Starter 1

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It was a wild, dark, stormy night…

Story Starter 2

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Jimmy woke up with a start.  Something was coming out of his wardrobe…

Story Starter 3

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The old cottage looked deserted so Mary pushed the front door…

Story Starter 4

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Jaz’s auntie Rhee is a witch. She’s not wicked – just wicked fun. She takes Jaz for flights on her broomstick and she’s teaching Jaz how to do spells. But she won’t let Jaz try to cast a spell unless she’s with her. Then one day, Jaz decided to make a spell of her own.

Story Starter 5

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Harry made a fantastic snowman. It had buttons for eyes, a carrot for a nose and it wore Harry’s old hat and scarf. Harry was really pleased with it. Then Harry heard his mum calling him to come in for his tea. He turned to go but someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was the snowman.

Story Starter 6

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One day a UFO landed in my back garden. A little green man climbed out. “Can you help me?” he said. “I think I’m lost.”

Story Starter 7

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Adi opened the suitcase he found in his gran’s attic. It contained a half eaten sandwich, a compass and a map…

Story Starter 8

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“Can’t you drive a bit faster please, Mum?” said Emma. “I’m going to be late for the talent show audition at this rate.”

“Not on these country lanes, young lady”, replied her mum sternly.

Then, to Emma’s horror, the car’s engine coughed, stuttered and died. “Oh no,” said Emma. “We’re stranded miles from the town and the talent show audition starts in an hour. Mum, what are we going to do?”

Story Starter 9

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Chet was excited. He had a ticket for the big match and he was in the crowd hurrying towards the stadium. Chet thrust his hand in his pocket to check that his ticket was safe. His heart missed a beat – his ticket was gone!

Story Starter 10

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Sal was walking along the beach when she saw a beautiful green glass bottle that had been washed up on the shore. She bent down and picked it up. There was something inside it. Sal pulled out the cork to see what it was…

Related Posts:

• 12 Top Tips for Telling a Story
• Green screen fun and short, short stories
• What is your character like?
• Teachers as Storytellers
• Spotlight on Weaving Tales