Teacher Notes
Teachers know how anxious students can become when faced with an empty
page during writing lessons, so I’ve designed this packet of 20 story prompts to
combat this. I’m a writer myself, with stories published in magazines, and I love
to get students’ imaginations firing. These prompts work especially well for
reluctant writers, but they can be used to inspire writers of all abilities. They were
originally designed with Upper Elementary and Middle School students in mind.
The cards use a dyslexia-friendly font and a clear layout on a full page, and
feature a high quality photo stimulus, word bank, a sentence or part sentence to
start students off, sentence starter suggestions, and questions to get ideas
flowing. Use them to launch students into their fiction writing and to help them
add variety to their narratives. I recommend printing them on card stock and
laminating so that you can use them again and again.
You might want to use the prompts to spark off a whole story, or maybe just a
few creative sentences. They are highly flexible: use them with the whole class as
regular warm up activities, early finisher challenges, homework tasks, or for your
main writing lesson, where they could choose their own or all work on the same
one. They’re ideal to leave for sub lessons, and they also work well as a regular
tool to support writers in one-to-one or small group sessions, where students
write just a few sentences inspired by the prompts, without worrying about
completing a story.
The version with the background color can reduce glare for dyslexic students.
However, if you would prefer an eco-printing option, use the version without the
background color. If you have dyslexia-friendly colored paper, you could print the
non-background version on this instead. The final two versions are for countries
that use the term “full stop” instead of “period” (with and without background),
as this word appears on the checking reminder box at the bottom of all cards.
The prompts in this packet cover a range of subjects and genres including sport,
mystery, humor, fantasy, and historical. Students could choose those that appeal
to them. Please click on this link to explore MORE STORY PROMPTS in my
store because there are many more where these came from!
The next page takes a closer look at the different features of the prompts…
© 2021 FullShelf Resources
A Light in the Forest
creaking
daunting
deserted
echo
eerie
flickering
gloomy
As I tramped through the
forest, I…
Why are you there?
Who or what is in the building?
What can you hear?
How do you feel?
What does the building look like?
Do you go into the building?
Do you get back home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
glow
illuminated
lurking
moan
shadows
undergrowth
unsettling
Starters
Having decided…
Even though…
Shivering, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
All of a sudden…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
After a while…
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A1 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
On the Train
carriage
clanking
clatter
clutching
distance
doze
horizon
Watching the fields drift past
the window, Elsa…
Where is Elsa going? Does she know?
Does she have anything with her?
How is Elsa feeling?
Is she running away from something?
Is she with someone?
jolt
loneliness
reflection
rumble
screech
sigh
trembling
Will she meet someone on the train?
Starters
Does something happen to the train?
Wondering if…
At the end, read your work out loud.
However…
Just then…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Heart thumping…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the train…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A2 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Night Fishing
amber
birdsong
breeze
chill
dangled
drenched
ripples
Callum didn’t know how long
he’d been there…
How long has he been there and why?
Is he hiding from someone?
Does anyone know where he is?
Does he see something in the water?
Does he witness something mysterious?
Does he have an accident?
Does he do something heroic?
At the end, read your work out loud.
shadows
shimmering
shiver
shudder
squawking
tugging
yell
Starters
In the distance…
Hearing a…
In a panic…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As the water…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Anxiously, he…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A3 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Embarrassing Dad
awkward
boisterous
disturbing
ear-splitting
enthusiastic
gasps
hideous
You’ll never guess what my
embarrassing dad did today!
Is this out of character or normal?
Why is he doing this?
Where is he? Is it a serious place?
Does anyone else notice?
How do people react?
What does your character do about it?
Does the behavior cause big problems?
At the end, read your work out loud.
horrified
humiliating
merriment
prancing
squirm
strutting
tone-deaf
Starters
Gaping at the…
Despite…
Unbelievably…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Unfortunately…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
While…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A4 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
An Unexpected Discovery
approaching
astonishing
astounded
disbelief
exclaimed
gasped
glinting
Sprawling in the long grass,
the children…
What do they see?
Do they find an object, creature, or
retreated
scrambled
screamed
sparkling
person?
sprinted
Is it valuable, scary, or weird?
startled
What do the children do about it?
terrified
How do they feel?
Do they tell anyone what they’ve seen?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Noticing that…
Unfortunately…
In horror, they…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
By the time…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Without warning…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A5 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Grandpa’s Car
calamity
choking
clutter
collision
devastated
explosion
juddering
We had always been
fascinated by Grandpa’s car…
How special is the car? How expensive?
Why are the children in the garage?
Does Grandpa know?
Do they damage the car?
Does the car start moving?
What do the children do about it?
Do they get in trouble?
At the end, read your work out loud.
puffing
remorse
shuddered
spluttered
startled
tinkering
wheezing
Starters
Anxiously, we…
In desperation, I…
Horrified, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A6 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Best Behavior?
catastrophe
collapsed
damaged
disruption
guilty
hilarious
incident
We probably shouldn’t have
done it…
What have the boys done and why?
Where are they? A wedding? A
mischief
persuaded
prank
ruined
competition?
spectacular
Does anyone notice what they’ve done?
surprise
How to they feel about it?
suspicious
Do they manage to sort everything out?
Does anyone find out?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
After deciding…
Unfortunately…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
By that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Finally…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A7 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Out of this World
aggressive
approaching
encountered
glowing
hovering
illuminated
juddered
In the clearing, I
discovered…
Who is telling the story?
What do they see, hear, and smell?
Do they go on the spaceship?
Where does it take them?
Are the occupants friendly or hostile?
Is this just a one-off?
Does the character get home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pulsing
rumbling
sparking
thunderous
timidly
vibrated
Starters
Heart thumping, I…
Although…
Hurrying toward…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Out of curiosity, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A8 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Girl and the Horse
breeze
chilly
clopping
disconcerting
expedition
gloomy
guiding
Staring at the moon, the
girl…
How did they end up here?
Why is she not dressed for the night?
Where are they going? Are they lost?
How does the girl feel?
Who is leading, the girl or the horse?
Does the girl know the horse?
Is the horse real? Does she imagine it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hooves
journey
quest
search
snorted
trotting
weary
Starters
Exhausted, she…
After a while…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Having decided…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Determined, she…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A9 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Magic Book
astonishing
bewildering
crackled
dazzled
dusty
enchanting
flicker
As she picked up the ancient
book…
Where does she find the book?
Does it take her to another time or
journey
mission
mystified
puzzle
place?
shimmer
Is there a special message in it?
thrilling
Was it written by someone she knows?
vanished
Who does it belong to?
Did the book target her to open it? Why?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Suddenly…
Beams of light…
Staring at the…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At first, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As sparks danced…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A10 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Outdoor Lesson
amazement
bravely
cautiously
confused
deserted
disaster
gripped
As Miss Chen droned on…
Where are they and why are they there?
Is this somewhere new to the children?
What might go wrong?
Have they noticed the elephant behind
the teacher?
Do other animals or an unpleasant
person arrive?
How do they feel? Excited? Nervous?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hurried
mysterious
searched
sneaked
sunlight
tranquil
vanished
Starters
In panic, they…
Unaware that…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
However…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A11 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Robot Teacher
bizarre
blared
clinking
dangerous
explosion
flickering
frown
Suddenly the teacher turned
into a robot…
How does this happen?
Is there a reason?
How does the teacher’s voice change?
How does her personality change?
Does she do something bad?
How do the students feel?
Do they do something about it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
jerky
malfunction
peculiar
screeching
sinister
stunned
whirring
Starters
At first…
Strangely…
Horrified, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
To our surprise…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
By the end…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A12 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Shocking Encounter
chase
crashing
crunched
distressed
ear-splitting
ferocious
gaped
We’d only stepped out for a
stroll when we heard…
How do you feel?
Do you know how it got here?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Does the dinosaur cause problems for
you? What about nearby towns?
Is the dinosaur injured? Do you help it?
Are you believed when you return home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
raging
rumble
swiftly
thunderous
tramping
trembling
Starters
In disbelief, we…
Seconds later…
In terror, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Immediately, it…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the tree tilted…
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A13 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Flying
applause
apprehensive
breath-taking
dazzling
elegance
flexible
flutter
For her finale, Mia launched
herself into the air…
Did Mia realize she could fly? Was this a
planned part of her routine?
gliding
graceful
soaring
spiraling
How does she feel about it?
swooping
How does the audience react?
thrilling
Does Mia win the gymnastics contest?
thumped
Does she fly off? Where does she go?
Is her flying ability permanent?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
To their surprise…
As they gasped…
Anxiously…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
With delight, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A14 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Candles and Potions
aroma
bubbling
carved
corridor
creaking
dingy
draft
Candles flickered and potions
bubbled as Ben…
Is Ben trying to find something?
Is he trying to recue someone?
What does he smell / hear / see / feel?
Does he meet anyone or anything?
Does something magical happen?
Does he get out safely?
Does the cat have special powers?
At the end, read your work out loud.
encounter
mysterious
ornate
spillage
uneven
wafting
whispering
Starters
In the corner…
Hearing a…
With a crash…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At that moment…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
At last…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A15 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Castle On the Hill
capture
chainmail
clank
clatter
ferocious
galloped
quarrel
As I approached the castle…
Are you a soldier, king, or peasant?
Have you traveled back in time?
Are you greeted with suspicion or
confusion? How do you feel about this?
Do you end up in a battle?
Are you mistaken for someone else?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Who are in the tents?
At the end, read your work out loud.
ravaged
revenge
shield
silhouette
smoky
spear
threaten
Starters
Yelling, I…
With courage, I…
Furiously, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Gripping my…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the soldiers…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A16 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Cat Chaos
anxious
balancing
charged
collided
darted
destruction
energetically
Creeping across the desk, the
cat…
Can you describe the mess it made?
Did it cause serious problems? Who for?
How do people react?
What was the silliest thing the cat did?
Does the cat get away with it?
Has the cat been put there deliberately?
Does anyone find out why it was there?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hissing
leaped
scampered
snarl
spillage
startled
tumbled
Starters
Having ruined…
Unfortunately…
As the computer…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Although…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Clattering against…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A17 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Snowbound
adventure
bitter
examine
followed
footprints
howling
investigate
Jenny heard the snow
crunching outside her tent…
Who is Jenny and why is she there?
How does she feel as she goes to check?
What does Jenny see outside the tent?
Does she hear anything else?
Does she move away from the tent?
Is there anything in the tent when she
returns? Does she stay safe?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pines
plodding
scanned
shivered
temperature
trail
Starters
Peering out, she…
Immediately…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Trekking across…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
With great relief…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A18 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Big Swim
anxious
backstroke
cheering
churning
concentration
doubt
dripping
With seconds to go before
the race started, Ruby…
How is Ruby feeling and why?
Has she done this before? What
echoes
focused
gliding
nervous
happened?
panting
How long has she been preparing?
thrashing
Is she competing against a rival?
triumphant
Are her friends and family watching?
What are the sights and sounds?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
With a sigh, she…
Bravely, she…
After a while…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
A moment later…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As she turned…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A19 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Talent Show
announcement
applause
blunder
cheers
disturbance
embarrassing
gloomy
We were on next.
Unfortunately…
What are you performing and who with?
Where is this taking place?
What is the prize?
Does a rival cause you a problem?
Do you get last minute nerves?
Do you mess up your act?
How does the audience respond?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hostile
jeers
microphone
muttering
spotlight
stumbled
tense
Starters
Meanwhile…
Despite…
Red-faced, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
From then on…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
In confusion, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A20 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Light in the Forest
creaking
daunting
deserted
echo
eerie
flickering
gloomy
As I tramped through the
forest, I…
Why are you there?
Who or what is in the building?
What can you hear?
How do you feel?
What does the building look like?
Do you go into the building?
Do you get back home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
glow
illuminated
lurking
moan
shadows
undergrowth
unsettling
Starters
Having decided…
Even though…
Shivering, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
All of a sudden…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
After a while…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A1 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
On the Train
carriage
clanking
clatter
clutching
distance
doze
horizon
Watching the fields drift past
the window, Elsa…
Where is Elsa going? Does she know?
Does she have anything with her?
How is Elsa feeling?
Is she running away from something?
Is she with someone?
jolt
loneliness
reflection
rumble
screech
sigh
trembling
Will she meet someone on the train?
Starters
Does something happen to the train?
Wondering if…
At the end, read your work out loud.
However…
Just then…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Heart thumping…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the train…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A2 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Night Fishing
amber
birdsong
breeze
chill
dangled
drenched
ripples
Callum didn’t know how long
he’d been there…
How long has he been there and why?
Is he hiding from someone?
Does anyone know where he is?
Does he see something in the water?
Does he witness something mysterious?
Does he have an accident?
Does he do something heroic?
At the end, read your work out loud.
shadows
shimmering
shiver
shudder
squawking
tugging
yell
Starters
In the distance…
Hearing a…
In a panic…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As the water…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Anxiously, he…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A3 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Embarrassing Dad
awkward
boisterous
disturbing
ear-splitting
enthusiastic
gasps
hideous
You’ll never guess what my
embarrassing dad did today!
Is this out of character or normal?
Why is he doing this?
Where is he? Is it a serious place?
Does anyone else notice?
How do people react?
What does your character do about it?
Does the behavior cause big problems?
At the end, read your work out loud.
horrified
humiliating
merriment
prancing
squirm
strutting
tone-deaf
Starters
Gaping at the…
Despite…
Unbelievably…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Unfortunately…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
While…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A4 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
An Unexpected Discovery
approaching
astonishing
astounded
disbelief
exclaimed
gasped
glinting
Sprawling in the long grass,
the children…
What do they see?
Do they find an object, creature, or
retreated
scrambled
screamed
sparkling
person?
sprinted
Is it valuable, scary, or weird?
startled
What do the children do about it?
terrified
How do they feel?
Do they tell anyone what they’ve seen?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Noticing that…
Unfortunately…
In horror, they…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
By the time…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Without warning…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A5 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Grandpa’s Car
calamity
choking
clutter
collision
devastated
explosion
juddering
We had always been
fascinated by Grandpa’s car…
How special is the car? How expensive?
Why are the children in the garage?
Does Grandpa know?
Do they damage the car?
Does the car start moving?
What do the children do about it?
Do they get in trouble?
At the end, read your work out loud.
puffing
remorse
shuddered
spluttered
startled
tinkering
wheezing
Starters
Anxiously, we…
In desperation, I…
Horrified, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A6 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Best Behavior?
catastrophe
collapsed
damaged
disruption
guilty
hilarious
incident
We probably shouldn’t have
done it…
What have the boys done and why?
Where are they? A wedding? A
mischief
persuaded
prank
ruined
competition?
spectacular
Does anyone notice what they’ve done?
surprise
How to they feel about it?
suspicious
Do they manage to sort everything out?
Does anyone find out?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
After deciding…
Unfortunately…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
By that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Finally…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A7 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Out of this World
aggressive
approaching
encountered
glowing
hovering
illuminated
juddered
In the clearing, I
discovered…
Who is telling the story?
What do they see, hear, and smell?
Do they go on the spaceship?
Where does it take them?
Are the occupants friendly or hostile?
Is this just a one-off?
Does the character get home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pulsing
rumbling
sparking
thunderous
timidly
vibrated
Starters
Heart thumping, I…
Although…
Hurrying toward…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Out of curiosity, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A8 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Girl and the Horse
breeze
chilly
clopping
disconcerting
expedition
gloomy
guiding
Staring at the moon, the
girl…
How did they end up here?
Why is she not dressed for the night?
Where are they going? Are they lost?
How does the girl feel?
Who is leading, the girl or the horse?
Does the girl know the horse?
Is the horse real? Does she imagine it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hooves
journey
quest
search
snorted
trotting
weary
Starters
Exhausted, she…
After a while…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Having decided…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Determined, she…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A9 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Magic Book
astonishing
bewildering
crackled
dazzled
dusty
enchanting
flicker
As she picked up the ancient
book…
Where does she find the book?
Does it take her to another time or
journey
mission
mystified
puzzle
place?
shimmer
Is there a special message in it?
thrilling
Was it written by someone she knows?
vanished
Who does it belong to?
Did the book target her to open it? Why?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Suddenly…
Beams of light…
Staring at the…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At first, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As sparks danced…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A10 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Outdoor Lesson
amazement
bravely
cautiously
confused
deserted
disaster
gripped
As Miss Chen droned on…
Where are they and why are they there?
Is this somewhere new to the children?
What might go wrong?
Have they noticed the elephant behind
the teacher?
Do other animals or an unpleasant
person arrive?
How do they feel? Excited? Nervous?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hurried
mysterious
searched
sneaked
sunlight
tranquil
vanished
Starters
In panic, they…
Unaware that…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
However…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A11 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Robot Teacher
bizarre
blared
clinking
dangerous
explosion
flickering
frown
Suddenly the teacher turned
into a robot…
How does this happen?
Is there a reason?
How does the teacher’s voice change?
How does her personality change?
Does she do something bad?
How do the students feel?
Do they do something about it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
jerky
malfunction
peculiar
screeching
sinister
stunned
whirring
Starters
At first…
Strangely…
Horrified, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
To our surprise…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
By the end…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A12 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Shocking Encounter
chase
crashing
crunched
distressed
ear-splitting
ferocious
gaped
We’d only stepped out for a
stroll when we heard…
How do you feel?
Do you know how it got here?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Does the dinosaur cause problems for
you? What about nearby towns?
Is the dinosaur injured? Do you help it?
Are you believed when you return home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
raging
rumble
swiftly
thunderous
tramping
trembling
Starters
In disbelief, we…
Seconds later…
In terror, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Immediately, it…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the tree tilted…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A13 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Flying
applause
apprehensive
breath-taking
dazzling
elegance
flexible
flutter
For her finale, Mia launched
herself into the air…
Did Mia realize she could fly? Was this a
planned part of her routine?
gliding
graceful
soaring
spiraling
How does she feel about it?
swooping
How does the audience react?
thrilling
Does Mia win the gymnastics contest?
thumped
Does she fly off? Where does she go?
Is her flying ability permanent?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
To their surprise…
As they gasped…
Anxiously…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
With delight, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A14 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Candles and Potions
aroma
bubbling
carved
corridor
creaking
dingy
draft
Candles flickered and potions
bubbled as Ben…
Is Ben trying to find something?
Is he trying to recue someone?
What does he smell / hear / see / feel?
Does he meet anyone or anything?
Does something magical happen?
Does he get out safely?
Does the cat have special powers?
At the end, read your work out loud.
encounter
mysterious
ornate
spillage
uneven
wafting
whispering
Starters
In the corner…
Hearing a…
With a crash…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
At that moment…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
At last…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A15 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Castle On the Hill
capture
chainmail
clank
clatter
ferocious
galloped
quarrel
As I approached the castle…
Are you a soldier, king, or peasant?
Have you traveled back in time?
Are you greeted with suspicion or
confusion? How do you feel about this?
Do you end up in a battle?
Are you mistaken for someone else?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Who are in the tents?
At the end, read your work out loud.
ravaged
revenge
shield
silhouette
smoky
spear
threaten
Starters
Yelling, I…
With courage, I…
Furiously, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Gripping my…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the soldiers…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A16 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Cat Chaos
anxious
balancing
charged
collided
darted
destruction
energetically
Creeping across the desk, the
cat…
Can you describe the mess it made?
Did it cause serious problems? Who for?
How do people react?
What was the silliest thing the cat did?
Does the cat get away with it?
Has the cat been put there deliberately?
Does anyone find out why it was there?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hissing
leaped
scampered
snarl
spillage
startled
tumbled
Starters
Having ruined…
Unfortunately…
As the computer…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Although…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Clattering against…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A17 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Snowbound
adventure
bitter
examine
followed
footprints
howling
investigate
Jenny heard the snow
crunching outside her tent…
Who is Jenny and why is she there?
How does she feel as she goes to check?
What does Jenny see outside the tent?
Does she hear anything else?
Does she move away from the tent?
Is there anything in the tent when she
returns? Does she stay safe?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pines
plodding
scanned
shivered
temperature
trail
Starters
Peering out, she…
Immediately…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
Trekking across…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
With great relief…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A18 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Big Swim
anxious
backstroke
cheering
churning
concentration
doubt
dripping
With seconds to go before
the race started, Ruby…
How is Ruby feeling and why?
Has she done this before? What
echoes
focused
gliding
nervous
happened?
panting
How long has she been preparing?
thrashing
Is she competing against a rival?
triumphant
Are her friends and family watching?
What are the sights and sounds?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
With a sigh, she…
Bravely, she…
After a while…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
A moment later…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As she turned…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A19 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Talent Show
announcement
applause
blunder
cheers
disturbance
embarrassing
gloomy
We were on next.
Unfortunately…
What are you performing and who with?
Where is this taking place?
What is the prize?
Does a rival cause you a problem?
Do you get last minute nerves?
Do you mess up your act?
How does the audience respond?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hostile
jeers
microphone
muttering
spotlight
stumbled
tense
Starters
Meanwhile…
Despite…
Red-faced, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and periods?
From then on…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
In confusion, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A20 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Light in the Forest
creaking
daunting
deserted
echo
eerie
flickering
gloomy
As I tramped through the
forest, I…
Why are you there?
Who or what is in the building?
What can you hear?
How do you feel?
What does the building look like?
Do you go into the building?
Do you get back home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
glow
illuminated
lurking
moan
shadows
undergrowth
unsettling
Starters
Having decided…
Even though…
Shivering, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
All of a sudden…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
After a while…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A1 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
On the Train
carriage
clanking
clatter
clutching
distance
doze
horizon
Watching the fields drift past
the window, Elsa…
Where is Elsa going? Does she know?
Does she have anything with her?
How is Elsa feeling?
Is she running away from something?
Is she with someone?
jolt
loneliness
reflection
rumble
screech
sigh
trembling
Will she meet someone on the train?
Starters
Does something happen to the train?
Wondering if…
At the end, read your work out loud.
However…
Just then…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Heart thumping…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the train…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A2 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Night Fishing
amber
birdsong
breeze
chill
dangled
drenched
ripples
Callum didn’t know how long
he’d been there…
How long has he been there and why?
Is he hiding from someone?
Does anyone know where he is?
Does he see something in the water?
Does he witness something mysterious?
Does he have an accident?
Does he do something heroic?
At the end, read your work out loud.
shadows
shimmering
shiver
shudder
squawking
tugging
yell
Starters
In the distance…
Hearing a…
In a panic…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As the water…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Anxiously, he…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A3 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Embarrassing Dad
awkward
boisterous
disturbing
ear-splitting
enthusiastic
gasps
hideous
You’ll never guess what my
embarrassing dad did today!
Is this out of character or normal?
Why is he doing this?
Where is he? Is it a serious place?
Does anyone else notice?
How do people react?
What does your character do about it?
Does the behaviour cause big problems?
At the end, read your work out loud.
horrified
humiliating
merriment
prancing
squirm
strutting
tone-deaf
Starters
Gaping at the…
Despite…
Unbelievably…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Unfortunately…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
While…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A4 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
An Unexpected Discovery
approaching
astonishing
astounded
disbelief
exclaimed
gasped
glinting
Sprawling in the long grass,
the children…
What do they see?
Do they find an object, creature or
retreated
scrambled
screamed
sparkling
person?
sprinted
Is it valuable, scary or weird?
startled
What do the children do about it?
terrified
How do they feel?
Do they tell anyone what they’ve seen?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Noticing that…
Unfortunately…
In horror, they…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
By the time…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Without warning…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A5 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Grandpa’s Car
calamity
choking
clutter
collision
devastated
explosion
juddering
We had always been
fascinated by Grandpa’s car…
How special is the car? How expensive?
Why are the children in the garage?
Does Grandpa know?
Do they damage the car?
Does the car start moving?
What do the children do about it?
Do they get in trouble?
At the end, read your work out loud.
puffing
remorse
shuddered
spluttered
startled
tinkering
wheezing
Starters
Anxiously, we…
In desperation, I…
Horrified, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A6 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Best Behaviour?
catastrophe
collapsed
damaged
disruption
guilty
hilarious
incident
We probably shouldn’t have
done it…
What have the boys done and why?
Where are they? A wedding? A
mischief
persuaded
prank
ruined
competition?
spectacular
Does anyone notice what they’ve done?
surprise
How to they feel about it?
suspicious
Do they manage to sort everything out?
Does anyone find out?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
After deciding…
Unfortunately…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
By that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Finally…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A7 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Out of this World
aggressive
approaching
encountered
glowing
hovering
illuminated
juddered
In the clearing, I
discovered…
Who is telling the story?
What do they see, hear and smell?
Do they go on the spaceship?
Where does it take them?
Are the occupants friendly or hostile?
Is this just a one-off?
Does the character get home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pulsing
rumbling
sparking
thunderous
timidly
vibrated
Starters
Heart thumping, I…
Although…
Hurrying towards…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Out of curiosity, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A8 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Girl and the Horse
breeze
chilly
clopping
disconcerting
expedition
gloomy
guiding
Staring at the moon, the
girl…
How did they end up here?
Why is she not dressed for the night?
Where are they going? Are they lost?
How does the girl feel?
Who is leading, the girl or the horse?
Does the girl know the horse?
Is the horse real? Does she imagine it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hooves
journey
quest
search
snorted
trotting
weary
Starters
Exhausted, she…
After a while…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Having decided…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Determined, she…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A9 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Magic Book
astonishing
bewildering
crackled
dazzled
dusty
enchanting
flicker
As she picked up the ancient
book…
Where does she find the book?
Does it take her to another time or
journey
mission
mystified
puzzle
place?
shimmer
Is there a special message in it?
thrilling
Was it written by someone she knows?
vanished
Who does it belong to?
Did the book target her to open it? Why?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Suddenly…
Beams of light…
Staring at the…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At first, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As sparks danced…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A10 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Outdoor Lesson
amazement
bravely
cautiously
confused
deserted
disaster
gripped
As Miss Chen droned on…
Where are they and why are they there?
Is this somewhere new to the children?
What might go wrong?
Have they noticed the elephant behind
the teacher?
Do other animals or an unpleasant
person arrive?
How do they feel? Excited? Nervous?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hurried
mysterious
searched
sneaked
sunlight
tranquil
vanished
Starters
In panic, they…
Unaware that…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
However…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A11 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Robot Teacher
bizarre
blared
clinking
dangerous
explosion
flickering
frown
Suddenly the teacher turned
into a robot…
How does this happen?
Is there a reason?
How does the teacher’s voice change?
How does her personality change?
Does she do something bad?
How do the students feel?
Do they do something about it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
jerky
malfunction
peculiar
screeching
sinister
stunned
whirring
Starters
At first…
Strangely…
Horrified, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
To our surprise…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
By the end…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A12 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Shocking Encounter
chase
crashing
crunched
distressed
ear-splitting
ferocious
gaped
We’d only stepped out for a
stroll when we heard…
How do you feel?
Do you know how it got here?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Does the dinosaur cause problems for
you? What about nearby towns?
Is the dinosaur injured? Do you help it?
Are you believed when you return home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
raging
rumble
swiftly
thunderous
tramping
trembling
Starters
In disbelief, we…
Seconds later…
In terror, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Immediately, it…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the tree tilted…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A13 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Flying
applause
apprehensive
breath-taking
dazzling
elegance
flexible
flutter
For her finale, Mia launched
herself into the air…
Did Mia realise she could fly? Was this a
planned part of her routine?
gliding
graceful
soaring
spiralling
How does she feel about it?
swooping
How does the audience react?
thrilling
Does Mia win the gymnastics contest?
thumped
Does she fly off? Where does she go?
Is her flying ability permanent?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
To their surprise…
As they gasped…
Anxiously…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
With delight, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A14 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Candles and Potions
aroma
bubbling
carved
corridor
creaking
dingy
draught
Candles flickered and potions
bubbled as Ben…
Is Ben trying to find something?
Is he trying to recue someone?
What does he smell / hear / see / feel?
Does he meet anyone or anything?
Does something magical happen?
Does he get out safely?
Does the cat have special powers?
At the end, read your work out loud.
encounter
mysterious
ornate
spillage
uneven
wafting
whispering
Starters
In the corner…
Hearing a…
With a crash…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At that moment…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
At last…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A15 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Castle On the Hill
capture
chainmail
clank
clatter
ferocious
galloped
quarrel
As I approached the castle…
Are you a soldier, king or peasant?
Have you travelled back in time?
Are you greeted with suspicion or
confusion? How do you feel about this?
Do you end up in a battle?
Are you mistaken for someone else?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Who are in the tents?
At the end, read your work out loud.
ravaged
revenge
shield
silhouette
smoky
spear
threaten
Starters
Yelling, I…
With courage, I…
Furiously, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Gripping my…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the soldiers…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A16 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Cat Chaos
anxious
balancing
charged
collided
darted
destruction
energetically
Creeping across the desk, the
cat…
Can you describe the mess it made?
Did it cause serious problems? Who for?
How do people react?
What was the silliest thing the cat did?
Does the cat get away with it?
Has the cat been put there deliberately?
Does anyone find out why it was there?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hissing
leaped
scampered
snarl
spillage
startled
tumbled
Starters
Having ruined…
Unfortunately…
As the computer…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Although…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Clattering against…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A17 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Snowbound
adventure
bitter
examine
followed
footprints
howling
investigate
Jenny heard the snow
crunching outside her tent…
Who is Jenny and why is she there?
How does she feel as she goes to check?
What does Jenny see outside the tent?
Does she hear anything else?
Does she move away from the tent?
Is there anything in the tent when she
returns? Does she stay safe?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pines
plodding
scanned
shivered
temperature
trail
Starters
Peering out, she…
Immediately…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Trekking across…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
With great relief…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A18 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Big Swim
anxious
backstroke
cheering
churning
concentration
doubt
dripping
With seconds to go before
the race started, Ruby…
How is Ruby feeling and why?
Has she done this before? What
echoes
focused
gliding
nervous
happened?
panting
How long has she been preparing?
thrashing
Is she competing against a rival?
triumphant
Are her friends and family watching?
What are the sights and sounds?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
With a sigh, she…
Bravely, she…
After a while…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
A moment later…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As she turned…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A19 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Talent Show
announcement
applause
blunder
cheers
disturbance
embarrassing
gloomy
We were on next.
Unfortunately…
What are you performing and who with?
Where is this taking place?
What is the prize?
Does a rival cause you a problem?
Do you get last minute nerves?
Do you mess up your act?
How does the audience respond?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hostile
jeers
microphone
muttering
spotlight
stumbled
tense
Starters
Meanwhile…
Despite…
Red-faced, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
From then on…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
In confusion, I…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A20 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Light in the Forest
creaking
daunting
deserted
echo
eerie
flickering
gloomy
As I tramped through the
forest, I…
Why are you there?
Who or what is in the building?
What can you hear?
How do you feel?
What does the building look like?
Do you go into the building?
Do you get back home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
glow
illuminated
lurking
moan
shadows
undergrowth
unsettling
Starters
Having decided…
Even though…
Shivering, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
All of a sudden…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
After a while…
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
A1 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
On the Train
carriage
clanking
clatter
clutching
distance
doze
horizon
Watching the fields drift past
the window, Elsa…
Where is Elsa going? Does she know?
Does she have anything with her?
How is Elsa feeling?
Is she running away from something?
Is she with someone?
jolt
loneliness
reflection
rumble
screech
sigh
trembling
Will she meet someone on the train?
Starters
Does something happen to the train?
Wondering if…
At the end, read your work out loud.
However…
Just then…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Heart thumping…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the train…
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A2 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Night Fishing
amber
birdsong
breeze
chill
dangled
drenched
ripples
Callum didn’t know how long
he’d been there…
How long has he been there and why?
Is he hiding from someone?
Does anyone know where he is?
Does he see something in the water?
Does he witness something mysterious?
Does he have an accident?
Does he do something heroic?
At the end, read your work out loud.
shadows
shimmering
shiver
shudder
squawking
tugging
yell
Starters
In the distance…
Hearing a…
In a panic…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As the water…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Anxiously, he…
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A3 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Embarrassing Dad
awkward
boisterous
disturbing
ear-splitting
enthusiastic
gasps
hideous
You’ll never guess what my
embarrassing dad did today!
Is this out of character or normal?
Why is he doing this?
Where is he? Is it a serious place?
Does anyone else notice?
How do people react?
What does your character do about it?
Does the behaviour cause big problems?
At the end, read your work out loud.
horrified
humiliating
merriment
prancing
squirm
strutting
tone-deaf
Starters
Gaping at the…
Despite…
Unbelievably…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Unfortunately…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
While…
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A4 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
An Unexpected Discovery
approaching
astonishing
astounded
disbelief
exclaimed
gasped
glinting
Sprawling in the long grass,
the children…
What do they see?
Do they find an object, creature or
retreated
scrambled
screamed
sparkling
person?
sprinted
Is it valuable, scary or weird?
startled
What do the children do about it?
terrified
How do they feel?
Do they tell anyone what they’ve seen?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Noticing that…
Unfortunately…
In horror, they…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
By the time…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Without warning…
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A5 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Grandpa’s Car
calamity
choking
clutter
collision
devastated
explosion
juddering
We had always been
fascinated by Grandpa’s car…
How special is the car? How expensive?
Why are the children in the garage?
Does Grandpa know?
Do they damage the car?
Does the car start moving?
What do the children do about it?
Do they get in trouble?
At the end, read your work out loud.
puffing
remorse
shuddered
spluttered
startled
tinkering
wheezing
Starters
Anxiously, we…
In desperation, I…
Horrified, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
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A6 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Best Behaviour?
catastrophe
collapsed
damaged
disruption
guilty
hilarious
incident
We probably shouldn’t have
done it…
What have the boys done and why?
Where are they? A wedding? A
mischief
persuaded
prank
ruined
competition?
spectacular
Does anyone notice what they’ve done?
surprise
How to they feel about it?
suspicious
Do they manage to sort everything out?
Does anyone find out?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
After deciding…
Unfortunately…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
By that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Finally…
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A7 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Out of this World
aggressive
approaching
encountered
glowing
hovering
illuminated
juddered
In the clearing, I
discovered…
Who is telling the story?
What do they see, hear and smell?
Do they go on the spaceship?
Where does it take them?
Are the occupants friendly or hostile?
Is this just a one-off?
Does the character get home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pulsing
rumbling
sparking
thunderous
timidly
vibrated
Starters
Heart thumping, I…
Although…
Hurrying towards…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
As smoke poured…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Out of curiosity, I…
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A8 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Girl and the Horse
breeze
chilly
clopping
disconcerting
expedition
gloomy
guiding
Staring at the moon, the
girl…
How did they end up here?
Why is she not dressed for the night?
Where are they going? Are they lost?
How does the girl feel?
Who is leading, the girl or the horse?
Does the girl know the horse?
Is the horse real? Does she imagine it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hooves
journey
quest
search
snorted
trotting
weary
Starters
Exhausted, she…
After a while…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Having decided…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Determined, she…
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A9 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Magic Book
astonishing
bewildering
crackled
dazzled
dusty
enchanting
flicker
As she picked up the ancient
book…
Where does she find the book?
Does it take her to another time or
journey
mission
mystified
puzzle
place?
shimmer
Is there a special message in it?
thrilling
Was it written by someone she knows?
vanished
Who does it belong to?
Did the book target her to open it? Why?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
Suddenly…
Beams of light…
Staring at the…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At first, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As sparks danced…
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A10 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Outdoor Lesson
amazement
bravely
cautiously
confused
deserted
disaster
gripped
As Miss Chen droned on…
Where are they and why are they there?
Is this somewhere new to the children?
What might go wrong?
Have they noticed the elephant behind
the teacher?
Do other animals or an unpleasant
person arrive?
How do they feel? Excited? Nervous?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hurried
mysterious
searched
sneaked
sunlight
tranquil
vanished
Starters
In panic, they…
Unaware that…
Meanwhile…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At that point…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
However…
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A11 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Robot Teacher
bizarre
blared
clinking
dangerous
explosion
flickering
frown
Suddenly the teacher turned
into a robot…
How does this happen?
Is there a reason?
How does the teacher’s voice change?
How does her personality change?
Does she do something bad?
How do the students feel?
Do they do something about it?
At the end, read your work out loud.
jerky
malfunction
peculiar
screeching
sinister
stunned
whirring
Starters
At first…
Strangely…
Horrified, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
To our surprise…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
By the end…
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A12 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
A Shocking Encounter
chase
crashing
crunched
distressed
ear-splitting
ferocious
gaped
We’d only stepped out for a
stroll when we heard…
How do you feel?
Do you know how it got here?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Does the dinosaur cause problems for
you? What about nearby towns?
Is the dinosaur injured? Do you help it?
Are you believed when you return home?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
raging
rumble
swiftly
thunderous
tramping
trembling
Starters
In disbelief, we…
Seconds later…
In terror, we…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Immediately, it…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the tree tilted…
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A13 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Flying
applause
apprehensive
breath-taking
dazzling
elegance
flexible
flutter
For her finale, Mia launched
herself into the air…
Did Mia realise she could fly? Was this a
planned part of her routine?
gliding
graceful
soaring
spiralling
How does she feel about it?
swooping
How does the audience react?
thrilling
Does Mia win the gymnastics contest?
thumped
Does she fly off? Where does she go?
Is her flying ability permanent?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
To their surprise…
As they gasped…
Anxiously…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
With delight, she…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Eventually…
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A14 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Candles and Potions
aroma
bubbling
carved
corridor
creaking
dingy
draught
Candles flickered and potions
bubbled as Ben…
Is Ben trying to find something?
Is he trying to recue someone?
What does he smell / hear / see / feel?
Does he meet anyone or anything?
Does something magical happen?
Does he get out safely?
Does the cat have special powers?
At the end, read your work out loud.
encounter
mysterious
ornate
spillage
uneven
wafting
whispering
Starters
In the corner…
Hearing a…
With a crash…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
At that moment…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
At last…
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A15 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Castle On the Hill
capture
chainmail
clank
clatter
ferocious
galloped
quarrel
As I approached the castle…
Are you a soldier, king or peasant?
Have you travelled back in time?
Are you greeted with suspicion or
confusion? How do you feel about this?
Do you end up in a battle?
Are you mistaken for someone else?
What do you hear / smell / see?
Who are in the tents?
At the end, read your work out loud.
ravaged
revenge
shield
silhouette
smoky
spear
threaten
Starters
Yelling, I…
With courage, I…
Furiously, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Gripping my…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As the soldiers…
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A16 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Cat Chaos
anxious
balancing
charged
collided
darted
destruction
energetically
Creeping across the desk, the
cat…
Can you describe the mess it made?
Did it cause serious problems? Who for?
How do people react?
What was the silliest thing the cat did?
Does the cat get away with it?
Has the cat been put there deliberately?
Does anyone find out why it was there?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hissing
leaped
scampered
snarl
spillage
startled
tumbled
Starters
Having ruined…
Unfortunately…
As the computer…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Although…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
Clattering against…
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A17 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Snowbound
adventure
bitter
examine
followed
footprints
howling
investigate
Jenny heard the snow
crunching outside her tent…
Who is Jenny and why is she there?
How does she feel as she goes to check?
What does Jenny see outside the tent?
Does she hear anything else?
Does she move away from the tent?
Is there anything in the tent when she
returns? Does she stay safe?
At the end, read your work out loud.
petrified
pines
plodding
scanned
shivered
temperature
trail
Starters
Peering out, she…
Immediately…
Even though…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
Trekking across…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
With great relief…
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A18 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
The Big Swim
anxious
backstroke
cheering
churning
concentration
doubt
dripping
With seconds to go before
the race started, Ruby…
How is Ruby feeling and why?
Has she done this before? What
echoes
focused
gliding
nervous
happened?
panting
How long has she been preparing?
thrashing
Is she competing against a rival?
triumphant
Are her friends and family watching?
What are the sights and sounds?
At the end, read your work out loud.
Starters
With a sigh, she…
Bravely, she…
After a while…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
A moment later…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
As she turned…
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A19 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources
Talent Show
announcement
applause
blunder
cheers
disturbance
embarrassing
gloomy
We were on next.
Unfortunately…
What are you performing and who with?
Where is this taking place?
What is the prize?
Does a rival cause you a problem?
Do you get last minute nerves?
Do you mess up your act?
How does the audience respond?
At the end, read your work out loud.
hostile
jeers
microphone
muttering
spotlight
stumbled
tense
Starters
Meanwhile…
Despite…
Red-faced, I…
❑
Does it make sense?
❑
Have you used capital letters and full stops?
From then on…
❑
Have you checked common spellings?
In confusion, I…
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A20 ©2017-2021 FullShelf Resources