I’m currently working as a writer-in-residence at West Sechelt Elementary on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. The students are engaged in an ongoing (and ambitious!) project to create their own stories, which, as I like to think of it, is basically the same as building your own little world . . . which I why I kicked off my time there with my “Crafting Kingdoms” presentation.
I’m really pleased with the results so far. Many of the students took my . . . well, let’s just call it a “rant” . . . about brainstorming to heart. For my second weekly visit, they all arrived with their inspiration folders stuffed with sketches, drawings, and all sorts of other little ideas. A few students even came up with their own languages or codes for their worlds! And many of them also took my advice about patience, crafting some simply wonderful symbolic crests for their worlds.
There are so many students that I couldn’t photograph everything, but here are some pictures of some of the things that have caught my eye so far . . .
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This student is very organized, with labels and photocopies of interesting creatures to help inspire her!
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I loved this students “checklist.” She’s got options for all sorts of details, right down to the props and types of shoes her character will wear!
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This student spent a long time carefully designing his symbol, which he has not only used on his crest, but in other parts of his world.
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I loved this curly tree . . . I want to visit this student’s world!
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This is another tree world . . . Pinelandia!
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This one isn’t quite done yet, but I loved the progress so far. This will be a kingdom of action!
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I think this kingdom will be one that is both beautiful and dangerous!
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This is a cute kingdom . . . though I get the sense there is an undercurrent of danger lurking somewhere!
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This crest features a secret language!
Between the Cracks of Here and There 
I particularly like the crest with the tree. Great work Lee, you really know how to inspire students to mine their creativity!