Winter Holiday Story

I have just started the following writing activity this week, and wanted to share how I execute the project. In this task I go into plot development in more detail. In writing this narrative my students use all the skills I have taught thus far, as well as a more complex plot structure.

The process takes about two weeks, maybe even three, from start to the final drafts. It’s very important to keep up the excitement level, and not to make them feel stressed ore overwhelmed. Pace these steps as it works for you. I start with a series of workshops before they write out their first draft.

Prepare kids first by reading a selection of picture books related to the winter holidays.

1. Remind kids that every story has a problem that the main character tries to solve. Brainstorm problems  with a winter holiday theme. List the problems on chart paper.

2. Now ask the kids to write a story. This should be a stress-free exercise intended to help germinate an idea. This will not be their first draft!!
3. Hand kids a story map in which they write down who the characters are, what the setting is, and what the problem is.
4. Main character. Write a paragraph describing the main character or an important character in your story. Tell what they look like and what their personalities are like.
5. Setting. What’s the most important setting in your story? Illustrate this on white paper. Then make a table with four squares labeled: Sights, Sounds, Smells, Feel. The kids then complete the table, using their picture to help them.
6. Write a paragraph of this setting
7. Now focus on the problem. On white paper use a frame by frame graphic to sketch out the problem in detail. How does it start? How does the main character react? How does the problem affect the character?
8. Plotting. Explain how writers develop plot in a story. The main character thinks about how to solve the problem. Usually he/she fails at the first two attempts, but learns from the experience, which helps him/her solve it at the third attempt. This is the magic of 3. Refer back to the stories you read aloud as examples.


Now have the kids complete the following plot diagram.

First Try                        Second Try                               Solution



The kids are now ready to write their story plugging in the descriptions of their character and setting in the appropriate places. These could in fact be their first two paragraphs if you want to make the process easier.
As they begin writing, I like to put up a list of words that they are not allowed to use. I call them “banned” words. These are: good, nice, great, cool, bad, stuff, things.
They may use a thesaurus if they are stuck for a synonym of these words.

When they are done with their first draft, they should do some revising and editing on their own.
First, look at the opening sentence. I do not allow them to start with “One day …”, or “Once upon a time …”, or “Once.” Just cross off those words and the sentence would be a whole lot stronger.

Do not use the word “and” more than once in a sentence. (Learn the rule first before you can break it!).

Avoid starting a sentence with the word “Then”.

Fix spelling.

Put periods at the end of sentences.

Fix other punctuation.

Capitalize all proper nouns, etc.

After they’ve done their editing, it’s time for you to go through their stories and help them clean it up.

Time for publishing!!