Tristan Bancks Author Study

Writing this term has centred around an author study of Tristan Bancks, where our Grade 5/6 students explored and experimented with the techniques that make his writing so engaging. Students created their own characters inspired by those found in Bancks’ novels, before inserting them into Chapter 1 of Detention, Cop & Robber, Scar Town or The Fall.

Students then continued the story by crafting their own Chapter 2, drawing on the author’s craft they had explored throughout the term. They focused on bringing settings to life, developing relatable young characters faced with big problems, and using dialogue, action, inner voice, suspense and cliffhangers to keep their readers engaged.

Throughout the writing process, students have planned, drafted, revised and published their work, continually reflecting on how they can strengthen their writing. Students have shown fantastic growth in their confidence as writers and their ability to purposefully apply an author’s craft to their own writing.