How do I  help students improve their story endings?

Story endings tend to fall flat for many students.

Endings are part of the planning process before the writing begins.

Students are taught to have a character, a setting, a problem and a solution.

The ending comes after the solution.

The ending is a statement about the solution, addressing the problem.

An ending is an extra statement or a section of the text.

For example, if the problem in the story was a lost cat and the solution was to put out tuna to lure the cat home, the ending might be a comment about not letting the cat out again or getting a leash for the cat.

The ending ties up the story, it is not the solution but a commentary on what has happened in the story.

Endings can be written as a lesson learned, “I will never go into haunted houses again, or at least not without my dog.”

Endings can be an extension of time, “Later that year I saw Franny at a soccer game, we waved at each other, but our friendship will never be the same.”

Endings can have a twist, “After I found the treasure, I lost interest in the map. It wasn’t until September, when I opened my math textbook and a coin fell out, and a familiar voice said, We want it back. All of it. I looked around the classroom to see if any one heard. The problem was my classmates were gone and the room was a ship. A panic rushed in, here we go again!”

How do other stories end? Find out!

Search through your classroom library and keep a growing list with the students.

As usual, let me know how it goes 🙂

THE END

I have the PRIVILEGE of  providing literacy support at my school.  Here are some truths that I believe in.

THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL..BUT THERE IS IN LLI 

From the movie: A League of their Own

LLI is meant to be an intensive 18 week, daily program. Eventually it comes to an end.  The moment should be happy, the students that leave are now reading at grade level (or very close). Yet, it’s hard. Reading is not just about decoding and comprehension, it’s also about relationships. The bonding is huge, the stories are funny, as a group we learn more about each other than we ever would.  I had a student cry on Friday, “No, it can’t be over!”  I have to admit, I was holding back tears.  Yet, I can watch this student grow and absolutely knock it out of the park for years to come! It’s worth the tears.

LESSON:  Relationships, the 4th R.  Realize that teaching is an extension of your heart!

ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO JOIN THE LITERACY CLUB

Dav Pilkey author of DOG MAN. He created Captain Underpants from the drawings he created in the hallway while kicked out of class.

The students in grades 5 , 6, 7 impressed me this week. They “rocked” their reading tests. While some students admit they “don’t read”, there are others that work hard to improve. These students tell me that they read at home and demonstrate an understanding that reading unlocks their future.

We need to remember that some famous authors were late to reading.  Here is a list of 25 that have Dyslexia,. Students might recognize Patricia Polacco (#14) and Dav Pilkey (#6). Dav Pilkey writes Captain Underpants and Dog Man.

The struggling readers I talk to all read Dog Man. Interesting, I think so, very much!

LESSON: Sometimes it takes a while for students to settle into literacy, find their strengths and adapt to their challenges. Make sure you are there to catch and guide them through that journey.

OFF TASK or AWESOME MOMENTS – YOU NEED TO DECIDE

Apparently Germans can’t say “squirrel”. Isn’t that nuts! True story.

Wait, I was off task. But I made you laugh.

Now back to me…Should we always redirect students who struggle?

With some struggling learners the answer is …no or not yet!

For example, I support a student with extra help in math and reading. He told me as we worked on his math,  that he has been writing a story in English class. He went on to express all the books that have inspired him and what he was borrowing for his story. I was blown away! I knew this was a MOMENT, a make it or break it moment. Did I say…hey let’s get back to math? No, instead, I was ALL over his writing ideas.  I knew that his writing motivation was new and fresh. I want these kids who express a writing bug to fly with it. I also know that students are sharing this because they know I appreciate it. I need to express that appreciation right back.

LESSON: Jump on any inclination of subject love!  It might be the start of something big.

Please feel free to share your bits of awesome literacy moments. I will appreciate it 🙂

Until Next Time,

Love Coach Clark 🙂