Learning Intention What? I am learning to use language and style in a way which engages my reader. Why? To ensure my writing is interesting to read. How? I can describe events and combine ideas in different ways.

The Mystery of Oak Island

Lesson Starter Write down as many words as you can think of to describe a desert island. Top tip! Sights, Sounds, Smells, Tastes, 2 minutes

Where is Oak Island? The small uninhabited Oak Island lies just off the shore of Nova Scotia in Canada. It is one of many islands that are scattered around this stretch of coast line.

The Story Begins… In 1795, 16 year old Daniel McGinnis discovered a strange clearance of trees on the island. The ground looked as though it had been dug up and then re-filled. With the help of friends, Daniel began to dig. After a few feet, they came to a layer of flat stones. After much work they managed to remove the stones. However, after another ten feet they came to a layer of oak wood. There were some strange etchings on the logs which the boys could not understand. They abandoned their dig, but the story spread…

The pit on Oak island became known as ‘The Money Pit’ as speculation spread that buried at the bottom was a horde of treasure. In the 200 years since it was discovered, millions of pounds have been spent on excavations and tragically six explorers have died. The one time president of America, Franklin Roosevelt, searched in 1909 and as recently as 2006 a section of the island was bought for $7 million dollars.

Yet every dig has encountered the same problems. Every ten feet there is a buried layer of logs. Furthermore, in between these layers are layers of putty, charcoal, and coconut fibre. There are no coconuts on Oak Island Further down, a layer of iron was also discovered. This material didn’t exist during that time.

A wealthy man, Simon Lynds, formed a treasure company in the 1800’s and began to dig. After breaking through eight oak platforms, about 90 feet down, they discovered this:

Taking the night off, they returned the following day only to find the pit had filled with 60 feet of water. It was discovered that an ingenious trap – a man made tunnel 111feet down – connected the pit to the sea over 500 metres away. A second tunnel was also discovered – more than 150 feet down.

Possible Theories The most popular theory is that it was used by either Captain Kidd or Blackbeard, two pirates who used the islands to repair their ships. Other, more exotic, theories suggest anything from the Holy Grail to lost Jewels have been buried there. However, with 200 years of digging, the exact location of the original money pit is now lost. YouTube - Oak Island Money Pit Mystery

Burning Questions The mystery of Oak Island always gets people thinking. In your groups note down five “burning questions” you have.

Burning Questions Now, in your groups pick one of the “burning questions” and come up with a response you think would make sense. Be prepared to feedback your idea to the class. Think – pair - share

Writing Task You are going to be writing an imaginative story. In your story you will imagine that you are an explorer attempting reach the bottom of ‘The Money Pit’ to find the secret(s) within. Your story will be between 4 – 6 paragraphs long.

Task One Fill in all the information you can about your trip to Oak Island using the planning sheet you have been given. Write on the Sheet!

Creative Writing Task Write about your attempted excavation. For each section of your dig take a new paragraph. Try to include as much detail as you can. Remember to add both what you see and what you are thinking.

Creative Writing Task Paragraph One -Who are you? -What is your story? -Why are you on Oak Island? -What is the story behind the Money Pit? -How did you manage to get onto the island? Paragraph Two -What does the pit itself look like? -How are you/your team feeling now you are ready to dig? -Do you see any problems at the start?

Creative Writing Task Paragraph Three -What is it like now you are down the pit? -How do you/your team feel? -What is the first layer you reach? Describe it? -How do you break through? Paragraph Four -How long have you been in the pit? -How are you feeling now? -What layer do you reach next? Describe it? -How do you break through?

Creative Writing Task Paragraph Five -A big disaster happens in the pit – what is it? -How do you all react? -What does this mean for your dig? -How do you overcome this disaster? Paragraph Six -Have you reached the bottom or have you turned back? -BOTTOM: What do you find? How do you feel? Are you famous? -TURNED BACK: How do you feel? What do people say? Will you try again in the future?

Example Sentences ‘I looked around the clearing and realised I was there: the legendary ‘money pit’. Holding my spade tightly in my hands, I began to dig. After only ten quick minutes, I hit something solid.’ ‘I continued down the pit. The only light I could now see was the faint beam from my torch. All of a sudden, I sensed movement.’

I could see the island up ahead. It was covered in trees and I could see broken boats all over the shore. Starter Sentences

Inspiration

Our route was blocked by a layer of rotting oak. There seemed to be strange symbols carved into it. Our spades struck something solid. It turned out to be an iron sheet. Out of the corner of my eye I saw worms crawling out a skull.

Extension Task Now that your story is complete you have to create an illustration to accompany it. This can be an image of anything to do with your story e.g. the island itself, the pit, your team digging in the pit, what you found at the bottom etc. title, your name your class This would act as the ‘front page’ to your story so make sure you include the title, your name and your class.