Are you taking part in the BBC’s 500 words?
Are you a primary school teacher or a parent of a primary school aged student? This blog post is for you! On the 24th of September 2024, the BBC kicked off its much-loved 500 Words competition, offering a fantastic opportunity for young writers to showcase their creativity. Students must write a story of 500 words or less, starting with an everyday object, something familiar that can spark their imagination (we recommend finding it before the lesson). They can then take this story in whatever direction they want the only limit is their own imagination! There is going to be two age categories. One for 5-7 year olds, and another for 8-11 year olds. This ensures every child can flourish. For the lucky 50 finalists in each age group, the reward is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a trip to Buckingham Palace, where a celebrity will read their story! Imagine the excitement of hearing your child’s or pupil’s work brought to life in such a historic setting. To inspire your students or children, you can check out last year’s finalists using the link below. The closing date for entries is 9pm on Friday 8th November 2024, so act fast! The BBC website also provides a range of resources, including a Live Lesson and activities to support young writers on their storytelling journey. Good luck!