Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 3, “Tremendous Transformations in Writing” (3rd-4th)
Today, our classroom was filled with more creating, collaborating, and community-building. We started our day with an in-depth look at character development. We watched a short video from “Pixar in a Box” that invited us to think about how conflict can reveal character and lead to transformation. We applied this new knowledge to the short wordless film Lou (available on Disney+ if you want to watch it; it’s fantastic!), as we did a thorough character analysis of the film. We debated who should be considered the film’s main character and discussed the character traits that emerge, as well as the conflicts that the characters have to overcome, what makes the characters and conflicts “relatable,” and how the characters transform in six minutes. The students had such insightful interpretations!
Next, we ignited our imagination engines to begin building and developing our original characters! We organized our ideas in a four-square brainstorm template, making decisions about the physical characteristics of our character, their internal thoughts, feelings, and fears, the specifics of their daily routines, and finally, the problem, conflict, or obstacle that is going to propel them through the story. Our writers were very engaged in this process, working hard to fill their papers with details in all four categories. Be sure to ask your writer for a full rundown of their character!
In the afternoon, we watched another short, “Pixar in a Box”, in which we learned about character arcs and how shifts in setting can drive a narrative conflict and character transformation. In small groups, we read three different picture books to practice analyzing character arcs. Ask your writer if she or he read Wings, Stellaluna, or Where the Wild Things Are.
We wrapped up our third day with a lesson on perspective and point of view. The writers enjoyed looking at a few optical illusions (and I enjoyed watching their faces pop when they saw the second image!). If your writer wants to learn more about optical illusions, you can check out this website together: Optical Illusions and How They Work | AMNH. We discussed the impact of perspective in storytelling, and I read aloud A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Roberton. Ask your writer to explain why this book is called a tale of “two beasts.” At the end of the day, we discussed the strengths and limitations of using first-person versus third-person point of view. Ask your writer which point of view they are considering for their original story!
Some dinner table conversation starters:
- Why is it useful to put your character in an elevator?
- Why do we want our characters to have flaws or weaknesses?
- Who is the main character in Lou? How do they transform throughout the film?
- How can a shift in setting affect a story?
- How does conflict lead to internal or external changes in a character?
- What is the difference between 1st person and 3rd person point of view? How does perspective affect a story?
I am so proud of these kiddos for their intellectual endurance, creative perseverance, and continued kindness to one another in our classroom space. I am so excited to begin drafting our stories tomorrow!
~ Abby Ashford-Grooms