Each Play-talk-think-write Box contains several figures, a story outline and character cards, providing personality traits for each figure. There are boxes suitable for all ages from 4 to 11 and have been used by children from this age range. Evidence from the children’s discussions and writing shows clear indications of improvements in quality and motivation.
Play-talk-think-write Boxes®, and their accompanying Play-plans, have been produced by The English Team as part of their drive to develop creative, play-based approaches to learning which can, and do, raise standards of attainment.
The PTTW Boxes are based on research into story, thinking skills, listening and talk. The guidelines stress the importance of:
- listening to complete short stories
- being able to structure and complete stories in satisfying ways;
- the ways in which some writers (often boys) need physical engagement with a subject before being able to write;
- prioritising speaking and listening in order to develop language and
- engagement with plot structures.
If you have children who:
- lack stamina in their writing
- find structuring stories difficult
- are unable to develop characters beyond appearance
- rarely bring stories to an appropriate ending .
then Play-talk-think-write Boxes® could help, whatever age your children are.
Some schools have now been using the boxes for several years and all report greater enthusiasm and engagement from children. Those using the Boxes for some time have provided examples of high quality, well-structured, written stories being produced independently by children as young as five-years-old.
Information for those wishing to purchase any PTTW Boxes:
The Play-talk-think-write Box Research and Development File must be purchased by anyone intending to use the Boxes as it contains all six Play-plans, background research to the creation of the Boxes, and strategies for using them. This contains 40 pages which can be copied as appropriate by the purchasing institution. Cost: £30
Boxes now cost £45 to £60 +VAT each, including all figures, character cards and story outline.
There are fourteen different Boxes spanning Foundation Stage to end of Key Stage 2, with two more currently planned
If you are interested in purchasing any of our materials, please contact us for further details.
PTTW Boxes currently available:
| Journey to Kumani | (Jungle animals) | finger puppets (fp) |
| The Bumped Head | (every-day events) | wooden figures |
| Desert Island Adventure | (Pirates) | wooden figures |
| Lena and the Dragon | (Princess and dragon) | finger puppets + 1 fp |
| Journey to the Lost garden | (Mini-beasts) | finger puppets (fp) |
| Peg-leg and the Box of Tranquillity | (Pirates) | plastic detailed figures |
| Patti, Tim and Pimlico the Wizard | (school/fantasy) | wooden figures + 1 p |
| Miranda and the Wishing Box | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| Prince Hugo’s Quest | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| The Last Unicorn | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| The Horse’s cousin | (Fantasy and real life characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| The Knight’s Quest | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| Race Against Time for Peace | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
| Paramarthias’a Plague | (Fantasy characters) | plastic detailed figures (p) |
These are in approximate order of sophistication. Children in Foundation have used the first four Boxes, with adaptations. Key Stage 1 children have used all Boxes up to and including Miranda and the Wishing Box. Key Stage 2 children have used all Boxes from Journey from The Lost Garden onwards.
All those purchasing any boxes must purchase at least one Research and Development file. Cost of file £30 unless you have previously ordered and received one