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Video Book readings of Ernie Gonzales: The Determined Dreamer
Chapter by chapter book readings, recorded during the lockdown during March - July, to assist parents homeschooling kids. Each video include; a chapter from my book, author tip on story writing and a creative writing activity. I have created resources for some of my activities and have added links next to the videos, these are linked to my ETSY store.
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Beth
Chapter 1; 'An Icy Prison'.
Ernie the determined snail wakes up to find himself in a soggy rotten avocado, in a fridge in someones house. Has his dream of finding the olive garden come to a squishy end before it has even begun!
Activity; What happens next?
Writing tip; Planning is key!
Chapter 2- 'Dreams of the Olive Garden'.
Join me for the reading the next chapter from my book; 'Ernie Gonzales: The Determined Dreamer', and find out what Ernie's big dream is, who inspired him to have this dream and why its so hard for him to follow it.
Activity; Write a letter home from Ernie.
Author tip; Keep it simple!
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 3 - 'A Cunning Plan'.
Find out how Ernie set off towards his goal of finding Olive Garden, what his cunning plan is and read how things don't go quite to plan.
Includes; Activity; Draw and write about Ernie's plan. Author Tip; Don't be afraid to use short sentences.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 4 - 'The Fiesta'.
In this chapter Ernie discovers his plan is going wrong and he is now being taken to the festival in the park. Find out how Ernie overcomes this challenge and slides towards his dream.
Includes- Activity; Change the sense.
Author Tip; The importance of suspense.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 5 - 'The Determined Dreamer'.
Ernie has found him self in a strange snail home and no idea why he is there or how he got there. The last few chapters have told of what happened to Ernie before he found himself in this strange place, this chapter he reflects on just how stuck he feels and his fear of the Big White Metal box.
Activity; describe the object with out saying what it is. Author tip; vary how you refer to your character.
Chapter 6 - 'Ernie Sees Daylight'.
Find out why Ernie is being kept in 'ready made snail home' on a plant pot on the window sill in someones kitchen. Will Ernie escape or will be tempted to give up on his dreams and settle for a lifetime supply of his favourite food.
Activity; Diary Entry; write about how Ernie feels about his new discovery. Author tip; Show not tell.
Chapter 7 - 'Tempting Green Olives'.
Ernie has been tempted to settle for his new life as a pet and give up on his dreams, when his discovers the real and sinister reason that he is being held captive. Can he escape his new snail home and shake off the annoying fly once and for all?
Includes; Activity; News report about what Ernie has discovered. Author tip; The importance of dialogue to move your story forward.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 8 - 'First Steps to Freedom'.
Having been tempted by lifetime supply of delicious giant green Olives, Ernie is almost tempted to settle for a comfy life as a pet, when he discovers the real reason that he is being fattened up. Can he escape in time to avoid becoming someones dinner!
Activity; Write an action paragraph using short sentences to create excitement and fast pace. Author tip; Don't forget to check punctuation.
Chapter 9 - 'Food, Glorious, Food'.
Now Ernie has discovered a sinister secret as to why he is being kept as a Pet, he is more determined than ever to escape. Having made it to the top of the vegetable scrap bin, will his plan of being thrown onto the compost heap happen this time! Find out in this reading!
Activity; Write a short story, pay particular attention to you use of adjectives in your setting description. Author tip; Using adjectives to improve your writing.
Chapter 10 - ‘A Sparkle of Adventure’.
Having finally escaped the kitchen, Ernie makes friends with Bruce, the Aussie snail. Find out how Bruce made it all the way from Australia to Spain as the new friend share stories of their adventures, but will Ernie find the courage to tell his new friend about his big dream!
Author tip; Start with the problem.
Activity; add layers to your problem.
Chapter 11 - ‘Ready with nowhere to go'.
Ernie is surprised to discover Bruce has decided to help him reach the Olive Garden, well at least help him on his way so he can have his compost back to himself. However, Bruce doesn’t realise he will soon be swept up in the most exciting adventure, beginning with a daring and creative escape from a pack of wild hungry dogs.
Activity; write a suspense paragraph use senses. Author tip; Vary your sentence openers.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 12 - ‘The Rapids'.
The snails have now escaped the wild dogs and are floating down the river to Olive Garden. All seemed calms until they hit dangerous rapids and Bruce is flipped over board. Will Ernie save him and why is the rock they are stuck on moving!
Activity; Being a good friend. Write what it means to be a good friend. Author tip; The importance of character emotion in a story.
Chapter 13 - ‘The Two Hitchhikers'.
Bruce and Ernie have escape the dogs, made it through the dangerous rapids only to find themselves stuck a moving rock......or is it a moving rock!
Activity; Practice comprehension- What kind of character is Jose?
Author tip; Develop your character.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Chapter 14 - 'Paradise Found'.
Bruce cant believe it and faints with shock! The two friends have finally made it to the Olive Garden and Bruce realises Ernie was right. The two are enjoying the good life, however, things are just not what they expected and Ernie cant settle, discover why in this next chapter.
Includes- Writing tip; Vary your story rhythm. Activity; Practice varying story rhythm in your writing.
Chapter 15 - A Change of Plan.
Unsettled by his conscience, Ernie decides he must return to rescue the other snails from being eaten. Can he convince Bruce to join him of the biggest adventures of their lives!
Author tip; Level up your work.
Activity; Level up a piece of work in 10 minutes.
Chapter 16 - 'No Time to Waste'.
This chapter sees Bruce and Ernie conquering their fears of the wild dogs and catching a ride out of the Olive Garden, but can they hold on tight and how will they get to the top of the village!
Includes- Author tip; Write a good sentence opener.
Activity; practice writing 4 different story openings.
Chapter 17 - 'A Unusual Ride'.
Has Ernie's adventure come to a squishy end? Can Bruce think quickly to say his Aussie friend from being squashed under the tyre of a rubbish truck? Will they get rid of the annoying Captain Pablo once and for all?
Activity; worksheet on teamwork.
Author Tip; don't forget details and information in your story.
Chapter 18; 'A Time to Play'.
The two friends; Bruce and Ernie, have now made it to the top of the hill only to discover they have become a play toy for two stray kittens. Can the two snails escape and continue their journey to rescue the snails of Vinuela or will they be become cat food?
Author Tip; Using dialogues to show contrast between characters.
Activity; 5 things Ernie could say to encourage himself.
Chapter 19; 'A Crazy Idea'.
The two friends have now made it to the top of the hill, only to discover they have become a play toy for two stray kittens. The two friends have to devise the craziest idea ever to escape this sticky challenge.
Author Tip; Read, read read! Power of reading books to improve writing.
Activity; Funny news report about snails squashed under milk carton.
Chapter 20 'The Plan Takes Shape'.
Can they convince the cats to help them? Will their plan be enough to stop the hungry cats from eating them. Watch this chapter to find out if the snails can rescue the snails of Vinuela.
Author tip; Don’t be afraid to start, and don’t stop. Activity; Write the next chapter without stopping.
Chapter 21: 'Cat Food'.
As the cats and the snails make their way through the village they are faced with two unexpected characters, however, only one of which is welcomed. Will Estella escape with her life?!
Author tip; Include good action in your stories. Activity; Practice action writing with this activity.
Chapter 22: 'The Moving Floor'.
As the cats and the snails make their way through the village they are faced with two unexpected characters, however, only one of which is welcomed. Will Estella escape with her life?!
Author tip; Include good action in your stories. Activity; Practice action writing with this activity.
Click here to download a resource worksheet for this chapter.
Next chapter coming soon!
Live chapter reading every Tuesday & Thursday. subscribe to my page to stay up to date.
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