#2191. Creating a Story

Reading/Writing, level: Elementary
Posted Mon Mar 26 14:15:00 PST 2001 by Shalynn Reinhardt (I am an EMU student.) (daisy 51201@yahoo.com).
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, USA
Materials Required: Pencil, Paper, Computers with several programs, many story books
Activity Time: 1-2 weeks
Concepts Taught: Story Writing

Grade: 4

Objective: Students will be able to use a brainstorming techniques to write a story, create a story, and explain two revising techniques.

Michigan Standards:

Benchmark ELA.2.LE.1
Write fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions,
such as stories, reports, letters, plays, and explanations of
processes.

Benchmark ELA.2.LE.2
Recognize and use authors' techniques in composing their own
texts. Examples include effective introductions and
conclusions, different points of view, grammatical structure,
and appropriate organization.

Benchmark ELA.7.LE.4
Develop and use a variety of strategies for planning, drafting,
revising, and editing different forms of texts for specific
purposes. Examples include brainstorming, revising with
peers, sensitivity to audience, and strategies appropriate for
purposes, such as informing, persuading, entertaining, and
inspiring

Materials Paper
Pencil
Computer with the following programs:
Any word processing program
A drawing program
Inspiration
Various Story Books

Procedure
1. Students may brainstorm ideas, either on their own or search the internet for ideas about a story they may want to write.
2. Next, students will brainstorm ideas, handwritten on paper.
3. Students will look at another story to see observe an authors style. They should notice that the author wrote in a format: introduction, body, conclusion.
4. Students will provide a clear example of what they have brainstormed. It must be word processed. Examples include an outline, concept map, free writing, discussion groups. Initially, upon starting the assignment students may hand write their ideas. Upon completion of the paper the outline or concept map should be typed or handed in with the paper. (A great example of what to use for an outline would be the software, Inspiration.)
5. Next, students will write their paper. This should be word processed, students should concentrate on use of adjective and sentence structure. The story should include an introduction, body and conclusion.
6. Finally, the student will use a draw program and include a picture with their story and an outline or another form of brainstorming. (This part is worth extra credit.)

Evaluation
The students will first be graded on handing in all three parts: a picture, formal brainstorm, and the story. The grading should be based on how well the outline matches the story, and the fact that the story has three parts. The picture should match the story, but will only be extra credit.

We are starting a new topic in English about story writing. Follow the direction below to begin your assignment.

Directions:
1. Brainstorm ideas, using pencil and paper, for a story.
2. Look at several story books to see an author's style. Do you see an introduction, body, and conclusion.
3. Create a formal brainstorm. Do this using the computer program "Inspiration" for a concept map or an outline.
4. Write your story being sure to include the three parts of the story. The final copy needs to be word processed.
5. Make a picture using a draw program. This part should be fun! (It is extra credit so it is not mandatory.)