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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