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ouble-Nickel Stories can be used intwo significant ways. First, the 55-word story frame can be used to teach

students how to write compact stories where—just as in poetry—every word counts. Moreimportantly, however, the 55-word story is anexcellent way to check students’ readingcomprehension.

Modeling the ActivityTo help your students better utilize thisactivity, you may want to have your studentsgenerate their own original 55-word stories.To do this, use the SWBS method. SWBSstands for Somebody Wants But So, which are the basicelements of most stories. Somebody (the main character)Wants something But something gets in his or her way (theconflict) So the main character solves the problem to getwhat he or she wants (the resolution).

Somebody: The three little pigsWants: To live happily ever after

But: The big, bad wolf tries to eat themSo: When the wolf comes down the chimney, the

pigs make wolf stew

With a little practice, students usually manage to createinteresting, often funny, stories with witty dialogue andsurprise endings.

Read aloud the story you’ve chosen to use for modeling theactivity. As a group, write a Double-Nickel story followingthe directions on the transparency of page 38.

On Their OwnProvide students with copies of pages 38 and 39. Encouragevolunteers to share their summaries with the class.

ObjectiveSummarize a story

Materials

For the teacher :

Transparency of page 38

For the student:

Copies of pages 38 and 39

Stories for Modeling“My Brother’s Keeper” by JayBennett from From OneExperience to Another (TomDoher ty Associates, 1997)

“Who Waxed Mad Max?” byGary L. Blackwood from ButThat’s Another Stor y (Walkerand Company, 1996)

38 25 Fun and Fabulous Literature Response Activities and RubricsScholastic Professional Books

Name________________________________________ Date_______________________

Story/Book Title _________________________________________________________________________________________

Author _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write a summary of your story using exactly 55 words. Here are somesuggestions: 1) Use pencil so you can erase; 2) Use characters’ names to avoidconfusion; 3) Write in complete sentences; 4) Use a variety of sentence types; 5) Write several rough drafts and choose the best sentences and phrases to use in your final summary.

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_______________ .

3925 Fun and Fabulous Literature Response Activities and RubricsScholastic Professional Books

Teacher’s Comments:

Category

Word choice

Sentence variety andcompleteness

Clarity ofmeaning

Mechanics(Punctuation,spelling, grammar, andcapitalization

Excellent

Dynamic wordchoice

Variety ofsentences;complete

Clearly focused;completelyunderstandable

Skillful use ofmechanics

Above Average

Outstandingword choice

Some variety ofsentences;complete

Clear meaningthroughout

Very few errorsin mechanics

Average

Appropriateword choice

No variety;completesentences

At times a bitconfusing

A few errors inmechanics

Below Average

Awkward wordchoice

Incomplete

Incoherent inmany places

Several errors inmechanics

Name________________________________________ Date_______________________

Story/Book Title _________________________________________________________________________________________

Author _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ASSESSMENT RUBRICASSESSMENT RUBRIC

RU B R I C