Bring a festive story expert into your classroom and inspire pupils to write their own magical Christmas tale.
In this episode of Author in Your Classroom, Catherine Doyle (author of The Miracle on Ebenezer Street) guides pupils through the process of creating their own Christmas story. Pupils explore how to reimagine familiar tales, develop characters who change or learn a lesson and add elements of festive magic.
Short podcast extracts highlight key ideas, but the teaching sequence works independently in the classroom.
Resource pack contents
This free classroom pack supports a full creative writing unit and includes:
- Ready-to-use PowerPoint
- Extract from The Miracle on Ebenezer Street
- Planning sheets for story ideas and planning
- Working wall image library for inspiration
- Themed writing paper for pupils’ final stories
Teaching overview
Across four sessions, pupils will:
- Reimagine a Christmas story: Explore how Catherine Doyle reworked A Christmas Carol in The Miracle on Ebenezer Street, discussing how to take elements of a story (characters, settings, themes) and use them to tell a new story. Pupils identify familiar Christmas stories and the elements that make them magical.
- Plan your story – Decide on the elements they want to include in their own Christmas story. Pupils think about characters, settings, plot points and the lesson their character will learn. They complete a story plan that brings together their ideas in a clear structure.
- Add some magic – Consider how magical elements or “magic realism” can be incorporated to enhance their story, drawing inspiration from the festive spirit and Catherine’s approach. Pupils review their plans to see where magic or wonder could be included.
- Write the story – Draft their own Christmas story, using dialogue, character actions and descriptive details to reveal personality and emotion. Pupils focus on creating a story of redemption or learning, in which their character grows or changes as a result of the events in the story.
The unit also includes reflection and peer feedback, helping pupils refine their stories and share them with the class.
How to listen
Search for Author In Your Classroom wherever you get your podcasts. A free resources pack is available with every episode.
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Browse more Christmas activities.
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