Date: 1994

Grade Levels: 6, 7, 8

Subject(s):

• Language Arts/Writing (composition)

• To apply concepts learned in class discussion and activities
• To increase creativity from "piggybacking" on ideas from others

Materials Checklist:

• Multiple computers; printer
• Software: word processing
• Teacher developed disk of beginning instructions and lessons for each student; brief abstract of lessons printed for each student.

Time Required: 5+ class periods

Activities and Procedures:

• Lesson 1: Provide the students with instructions and have them work from the word processing document already begun. Give them the setting and describe the first character. Have them add a character they wish to create, making sure to include the name and to describe its physical characteristics and habits; they should save the entry under "CHAR."
• Lesson 2: Prepare an opening scene on each of the student disks and have them each add an initial plot, saving their work as "PLOT.1."
• Lesson 3: React to the stories created in Lesson 2 and add insights. Have students complete the plot and save the document as "PLOT.2."
• Lesson 4: The students should have added characters and plot to the setting. Hopefully, they also reached an interesting climax. Ask them how their characters will react and whether the story is becoming a humorous one, a romance, a realistic fiction, or something else. Have them write their version of the perfect conclusion and save the document as "CONCLU."
• Lesson 5: Print out the stories and distribute copies to each student. Have group reading, proofreading, and discussion of highlights and difficulties.

Stories dealing with a current science or history unit could reinforce new subject matter: "A Trip Through Historic U.S. A." or "Life in a Space Station."