Three star games***
These games take longer than 2-star games, typically 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and they require a greater depth of concentration and focus. They are a good way to get pupils focused on writing a story, through development of all elements, including plot and dialogue.
The dialogue game
This game takes around 30 minutes and is a great way to get pupils working in groups to think about their characters and stories. Pupils are encouraged to actually become their characters, and to think as the characters would think, then engage in a topic of discussion of their choice. The game helps pupils to understand each of their characters, and separate the character's thoughts and opinions from their own.
Abstract art
This activity can take anywhere between 5 minutes and 30 minutes, depending on how many pieces of 'art' you would like to look at. The activity encourages pupils to look at abstract symbols and signs and imagine the symbols as representing the character they have developed. Pupils are then encouraged to think about and expand upon what these symbols and signs could say or represent about their character. This activity is a great way to build characters without thinking about personality directly. It can be developed further by sourcing your own abstract symbols, though sheets are provided for you to start with.
Destiny tree
This activity will take around 30 minutes, and helps pupils to plot their characters through space and time to develop their lives. Pupils are encouraged to draw a tree of possibilities, and potential decisions their characters could make, and then develop these into alternative story lines. This is a great way to help pupils to consider a range of story lines and to develop multiple plot lines in their work.