WEEK 4: W J Stone’s Box
This element is designed particularly for Years 5 & 6, then Year 4, as their part of the clues to discover first and explore
A mysterious wooden box has been discovered in the school grounds. Nobody knows where it came from/how long it has been hidden under equipment in the school. Together with your class you decide to look inside and see what clues it holds and if it can piece together a story…
Directions: Borrow this box (Year 6 to have it first, then Year 5) from the staffroom where it’s stored. Place this wooden box somewhere in your classroom that children coming in might spot it and be interested. Somewhere that will catch their eye.
Wait to be asked by someone what it is/someone notice it. Then say something casually like “Oh this box? Well (insert staff name) found it in the PE shed under some old equipment and passed it onto me to take a look at it. I was going to look inside at the end of the day”. Wait and see if they want you to open it then. Pretend to interrupt the lesson plan to look inside. “Well, we were supposed to be doing / carrying on with XX today, weren’t we? But shall we take a peek inside this box instead? Do you want to see what’s in it with me?”
INSIDE THE BOX YOU’LL DISCOVER (do take time to have a look and read through the diary etc before the children do to prep)
Natural artefacts including a bell, sheep’s wool, tree bark, an egg shell, a tiny basket -collected by Wren
2 tiny jars with mysterious artefacts in (don’t let children touch inside!)
A hand drawn map to unfold and explore/answer questions in writing or discussion that are asked on it (extra clue: hold it up to the light/a window to reveal some hidden drawings)
A diary documenting an eventful summer by a 9/10 year old child called Wren to read and explore inside - lots of Inklings clues and info!
A Bird Book (secret messages on Page 101)
An Inklish language translating device
Wren’s pencil tin
Photos of potential Inklings spotted?
