Countdown to Non-Fiction Writing: Step by Step Approach to Writing Techniques for 7-12 Years

Developing children's writing abilities boosts their confidence, creates enjoyment and relevance in the task and cultivates a range of decision-making and problem-solving skills that can then be applied across the curriculum. The Countdown series provides all the support you need in helping children to improve their prose, poetry and non-fiction writing.

Countdown to Non-Fiction Writing is a comprehensive and flexible resource which you can use in different ways. It includes:

37 stand-alone modules which cover all aspects of writing and understanding non-fiction texts, including the nature of language, logical thinking, recognising ‘facts’ and planning;

A countdown flowchart provides an overview, showing how modules are linked and allowing teachers and pupils to track their progress;

Photocopiable activity sheets for each module that show how to make decisions and solve problems which writers face on the journey to a finished piece of work;

Teachers’ notes for each module with tips and guidance, including how modules can be used in the classroom, links to other modules and curriculum links, and advice on helping and guiding pupils in their writing;

A self-study component so pupils can make their own progress through the material. This option gives young writers a sense of independence in thinking about their work and through offering a scaffolding of tasks, encourages confident and effective writing;

'Headers' for each module showing where along the 'countdown path' you are at that point;

Contents page for quick access to particular modules and relevant aspects of writing.

In short, Countdown to Non-Fiction Writing saves valuable planning time and gives you all the flexibility you need in helping pupils to prepare for, understand, and write non-fiction. The structure of the book allows teachers to utilise the modules for ‘self-study’, as a longer programme following the ‘countdown’ structure, or to dip into the book for individual lesson activities and ideas to fit in with wider programmes of study.

***Put your pupils to good use and help WIN £100 in Book Vouchers for your class!***


To celebrate the release of Steve Bowkett's new creative writing title, Countdown to
Non-Fiction Writing Turner's Bookshop are running two age group short story competitions starting this November for ages 9 to 10 and 11 to 12. Entries must be in by February 12th 2010 and must be no longer than 500 words.

You can find the competition guide at www.turnerbooks.co.uk. The best entries will be judged by Steve Bowkett himself and the winner will be announced on March 1st 2010.

For your chance to win £100 in book vouchers for your school or class simply send your entries to:
Turner Books Student Short Story Comp, 193-195 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3BR or info@turnerbooks.co.uk and write Turner Books Short Story Comp in the subject line.