Bring a bestselling children’s author into your classroom and help pupils use research to plan and write imaginative stories.
In this episode of Author In Your Classroom, broadcaster and author Dermot O’Leary (Toto the Ninja Cat series) shares practical advice on how research can inspire storytelling. He explains how to take real-life knowledge and experiences, then twist them with imagination to create exciting characters, settings and plots that capture readers’ attention.
This teaching sequence is designed to support pupils who struggle to find ideas for their writing. It will help them move beyond “I don’t know what to write about” by showing how research can provide a springboard for creativity, humour and story development.
Short extracts from the podcast are suggested throughout the unit to introduce each stage of learning. These are optional, but highly motivating. They give pupils insight into how real authors work and encourage them to see themselves as authors too.
Resource pack contents
This free classroom pack supports a complete research-based story-writing unit and includes:
- A ready-to-use PowerPoint
- Extract from Toto the Ninja Cat and the Mystery Jewel Thief
- Planning sheets for research, creative twists and story ideas
- Working wall images and quotes for display
- Story planning sheets
- Themed writing sheets for drafting and final versions
Teaching overview
Across four sessions, pupils will:
- Start with research: Explore how gathering facts and observations can spark ideas, then discuss what makes research useful for storytelling.
- Apply creativity: Use research to invent exciting twists, unusual characters and imaginative settings, thinking like Dermot O’Leary does when creating his animal-populated London.
- Plan a story: Map out a story arc that integrates research, imaginative ideas and humour, including clear beginnings, middles and ends.
- Write the story: Compose a narrative using their research and planning, applying techniques modelled by Dermot O’Leary, including energetic sentence structure, attention-grabbing layout and playful language.
The unit also includes guidance for extending the work, improving drafts and using a research-based working wall to support ideas and vocabulary.
How to listen
Search for Author In Your Classroom wherever you get your podcasts. A free resources pack is available with every episode.
Subscribe to hear more brilliant children’s authors share insider tips that help pupils write with confidence, purpose and flair.
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