“Dial - Edl · • Write the lists on the board / overhead using the template provided ... • A...
Transcript of “Dial - Edl · • Write the lists on the board / overhead using the template provided ... • A...
This download includes the following 10 pages:
• This instruction sheet
• Assignment sheet
• Brainstorming sheet
• Story Planner (Introduction, Rising Action, Climax….)
• Template for “Dial-A-Mystery”
• 3 sheets of themed writing paper
• Editing Worksheet—can be use for self or peer evaluation
• Teacher Marking Rubric
“Dial-A-Mystery” Instructions / Ideas
Sometimes students can get “stuck” with the brainstorming sheet and quickly run out of ideas when
writing a short story. One fun way to get around writer’s block is to use a “Dial-A-Mystery”
template and writing strategy.
• Have students brainstorm ideas for characters, settings, and spooky words.
• Ask students to call out their ideas and share with the class.
• Write the lists on the board / overhead using the template provided
• Create a list of 10 characters (protagonists)
• Create another list of 10 characters (antagonists)
• Create a list of 10 settings
• Create a list 10 spooky words / items / things
• Students complete the template based on the classes’ suggestions
• To “Dial-A-Mystery” students use the last four numbers of their phone number to pick which
characters / setting / words or items they need to include in their story.
• For example if the last four digits of a student’s phone number are –”4986”
the student would use the fourth character in column 1, the ninth character in column 2, the eighth
setting in column 3 and the sixth idea in column 4.
• I don’t tell them about the “Dial-A-Mystery” aspect until we’ve filled in the template with
everyone’s ideas. Students love “dialing” their story, they have a great time writing their stories
and nobody seems to be stuck for an idea.
I hope that you and your students have fun!
© Addie Williams
Due Date ______
Write a creative and spooky Halloween short story. Include no more than 3 characters and try to avoid a lot of dialogue (speaking) as it is much more challenging to write.
Use the brainstorming sheet to help with spooky ideas.
Your spooky Halloween story must include the following:
• A creative and tantalizing title • Logical reasons for why the events occur • At least one illustration (hand-drawn/computer) • An interesting and captivating storyline that builds to a climax • Paragraphs / good organization • Vivid verbs and details to add depth and meaning to your story REMEMBER: If you are missing any of the above criteria you will be asked to correct the problem and resubmit your story. Have fun and try to make your story as spooky as possible.
Don’t forget the following when writing your story. • It is easiest to write in past tense… as if the story happened
already. • I WENT to the store and I SAW a ghost on my way.
• Check that all of your verbs are in the same tense. • Paragraphs help a reader make sense of your work. • Please SPELLCHECK. Use a dictionary if you are stuck on a word. • Ask a friend or family member to proofread your work and look
for errors.
© Addie Williams
Halloween Brainstorming Name:____________
Spooky Halloween characters
Spooky Halloween locations
Brainstorm a spooky conf lict (main problem in the story) Brainstorm descriptive and spooky Halloween words /items and ideas
© Addie Williams
1. Int
rodu
ction
: Th
eme o
f the
stor
y:
Conf
lict
2. In
citin
g Inc
ident
6. Co
nclus
ion
4. Cli
max
Prot
agon
ist:__________________________________________
An
tago
nist: __________________________________________
Shor
t Sto
ry Pl
anne
r Na
me: _
__
__
__
___
___
____
__
__
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© A
ddie
Will
iam
s
© A
ddie
Will
iam
s Char
acte
r (Pr
otag
onist
) Ch
arac
ter (
Anta
gonis
t) Se
ttin
g Ob
ject /
Wor
d / It
em
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0 Hallo
ween
Ide
a Sh
eet
Name
: ___
____
____
____
___
Switch your paragraph with a partner and edit each other’s work using the checklist or use it to check your own paragraph.
Is there an interesting / catchy title? __________
Does the first sentence grab your attention? __________
Is there a clear story introduction? __________
Does the story build to a climax? __________
Does the story have a logical plot? __________
Is there a conclusion to the story? __________
Are there interesting and vivid verbs? __________
Are all the words spelled correctly? (Circle errors) __________
Are the sentences varied in length and start with different words? __________
I really liked: _______________________________________________________________________________ I’d like to know more about: ___________________________________________________________________ To improve your story you could... _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
Not Quite Yet 2 marks
Good Start 3 marks
You did it! 4 marks
Wow! 5 marks
Content
• I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate.
• I have poorly connected ideas and no climax.
• I am missing key details and my reader might be confused.
• I have a basic story.
• I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details.
• Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story.
• I have an interesting story.
• My paragraph builds to a climax.
• My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story.
• I have an engaging and creative story.
• My story builds to a logical climax.
• I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story.
Style
• Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward
• I used basic, simple language
• I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences
• I used everyday, conversational language
• I used a variety of sentence types and lengths
• My language is clear, appropriate, and varied
• My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively
• My language is clear, varied and mature
Form
• I have little to no introduction.
• I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another
• I have little to no conclusion.
• I have a basic introduction that explains the situation
• My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed
• I have a weak conclusion
• I have an interesting intro-duction
• I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly
• I have a conclusion
• I have an engaging introduction.
• I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions
• I have a creative and engaging conclusion
Spelling & Grammar
• There are many errors in simple words or sentences
• I have frequent run-on’s and fragments
• There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences
• I have some run-on’s or fragments
• There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language
• Most sentences are correct; some errors
• I have very few spelling and grammar errors.
• I have very few errors in complicated sentences
Peer / Self Assessment—Mark the short story using the rubric below.
© Addie Williams
Short Story Editing Worksheet Name: _________________
Not Quite Yet 2 marks
Good Start 3 marks
You did it! 4 marks
Wow! 5 marks
Content
• I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate.
• I have poorly connected ideas and no climax.
• I am missing key details and my reader might be confused.
• I have a basic story.
• I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details.
• Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story.
• I have an interesting story.
• My paragraph builds to a climax.
• My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story.
• I have an engaging and creative story.
• My story builds to a logical climax.
• I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story.
Style
• Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward
• I used basic, simple language
• I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences
• I used everyday, con-versational language
• I used a variety of sentence types and lengths
• My language is clear, appropriate, and varied
• My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively
• My language is clear, varied and mature
Form
• I have little to no introduction.
• I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another
• I have little to no conclusion.
• I have a basic introduction that explains the situation
• My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed
• I have a weak conclusion
• I have an interesting intro-duction
• I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly
• I have a conclusion
• I have an engaging introduction.
• I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions
• I have a creative and engaging conclusion
Spelling & Grammar
• There are frequent errors in simple words or sentences
• I have frequent run-on’s and fragments
• There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences
• I have some run-on’s or fragments
• There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language
• Most sentences are correct; some errors
• I have very few spelling and grammar errors.
• I have occasional errors in complicated sentences
© Addie Williams
Short Story Rubric Name: _________________
Teacher Comments:
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© Addie Williams
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© Addie Williams
Thanks so much!
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Terms of Use
Thanks to the following artists.
Copying any part of this product and placing it on the internet in any form (even a personal / classroom website) is forbidden and is a
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hard work of others.
~ Addie