A Writing Root for The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish

Outcomes:

Thought bubble, missing scene, diary entry 

Main Outcome:

Own version narrative

Length:

12 sessions, 2+ weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

This is a two-week plus Writing Root for The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman.  Children will get to read and discuss the story, identifying the different characters and their voices by using dramatised reading. The book will be used throughout to identify the features and conventions of written dialogue and use of speech marks, which children will draw upon to write their own missing scenes from the book.  Children will consider the story from the perspective of Dad and write a diary entry in role.  The sequence of leaning culminates in children using the cliffhanger at the end of the book to write their own sequel using the structure of the original story to plan and write their own.

Synopsis of Text:

When a boy swaps his dad for two goldfish he does not really think through the consequences! After all, he is not the only person who can swap stuff. When the boy is told by his mother that he has to get his father back it is not so easily done. It seems that the father has a pretty high value as he has been traded by one child to the next leaving a trail that the son has to follow. Where will it all end?

Text Rationale:

This story written by prolific author Neil Gaiman will enable children to build their literary repertoire by exploring other titles such as The Wolves in the Walls, Crazy Hair and Coraline.  This story has a clear cyclical structure which will form the basis for children’s own writing.  The mysterious and slightly sinister nature of the illustrations will pique children’s interest and provide the starting point for discussions around decision-making and consequences.  

Links and themes:

Fantasy, playscripts, consequences, making decisions

Date written: March 2013              Updated: June 2020