Teach Primary Issue 19.5

pages 21-22 The Bus Stop Decision www.teachwire.net | 67 21-22 At five past, a bus pulls into the stop with the words The Gains School across the front, and as I’m about to climb aboard I see another bus pulling in behind it. Different words are written across the front: Browtree High. I look at both buses and then at the jumper in my arms. An idea lands in my brain and makes my eyes open wider. I couldn’t, could I? I feel the familiar feeling of flip-flopping, rising panic. Of a decision needing to be made. Which bus should I get on? Should I listen to my parents? Or is the jumper in my arms a sign? A sign that I need to do something different for a change? My eyes dart between the buses. As the doors open for the Gains School, I feel sick at the idea of stepping on to the bus, of doing the thing that my parents want me to do, that doesn’t feel like the thing I want at all. I look to the Browtree bus and see kids sitting at the top in their red jumpers. I could just put the jumper on and become one of them. They look so happy, but I couldn’t get away with it, could I? I can’t just go to the wrong school. There’s no point even trying. My head is swimming. “You getting on, son?” the voice of the driver calls out to me, as I stand frozen on the pavement. I just can’t decide. I need help. Extract from T E ACH RE AD I NG & WR I T I NG This internal question shows us what Fred is feeling, leading up to the choice. He's so used to his parents making decisions for him, so he has a physical reaction to the idea of choosing for himself. That means you! This is a fun wink at the reader, as the next step is for you to decide which bus Fred gets on. One of the potential choices is giving Fred a physical reaction here. Remember we can show feeling physically as well as with what the character says. Using the word 'become' here adds a bit of weight to the choice Fred (and you!) are about to make. The path he takes will change aspects of his life, and who he will be as a person. The repeated questions here indicate just how panicked Fred is feeling about the whole prospect of deciding. These kinds of internal thoughts and doubts are a great way to succinctly show how your character is feeling, as well as indicating the possible choices. This is the first indication to the reader that Fred will soon face a choice. Another character finally spurs the decision - Fred has no choice but to answer the driver. This sentence makes it seem like the choice has disappeared for Fred, but of course we know it hasn't. This is a realistic element of decision-making; we all sometimes decide we can't do something before we've even tried!