Process

Many times authors get their ideas from real life events.  You and a partner are going to read about some real life animal heroes, then research some facts.  Together you will write and illustrate a fictional story based on real events.    Step 1     Begin by going to the sites below and read about some real  animal heroes.  You and your partner should decide on one hero you'd like to write about.  Take notes and record some facts to include  in a story of your own.  Remember the "five Ws" who, what, when, where, why. Click on the for  site 1, the for site 2. Step 2     Now that you have picked your topic, do some research.  Go to the sites below to find information on the setting of your story and on the animal breed of your hero.  Once again, take notes.  Write down information that you may want to use in your story. Click on the cat for animal breed  information.  Click on the for  geographical information.  Once on the almanac site: click on "explore", then scroll down and click on "states".  Select the state where your story takes place.                                                    Step 3     Writing a story isn't easy for everyone.  The site below will help you get started to think like a writer.  Now that you've picked a topic and done some research you're ready to begin.  First just talk (quietly) with your partner about your ideas.  Decide which facts and details you'd like to include.  Begin to organize your ideas and jot down the events of your story in sequence.  Have a clear beginning, middle and end.   Click on the book for help writing and organizing your story.  Once there scroll down and click on, "student short story activity sheet".  Then you may print it and use as a guild. Step 4     Read the story out loud to your partner.  Create an exciting opening sentence.  Look at the descriptive words you have chosen.  Add more detail to your .descriptions  For example, instead of "one day" write "early one crisp, cold morning".  Use words that help the reader see a picture, and feel an emotion.  Is the character "scared" or " wide-eyed and trembling from head to toe"?   If you'd like help choosing descriptive words click on the cat. Step 5     A good writer can use words in very creative and poetic ways.  One technique you will want to include is the use of metaphors.  Go to the following site to help you get some ideas.  Then you and your partner will add a few of your own to enhance your story. Click on the for help with metaphors.  Then click on "General Writing Concerns".  Scroll down to" Types and Genres of Writing".  Then click on "Using Metaphors in Creative Writing". Step 6     Now that your story has an exciting beginning, lists events in order, and contains descriptive words and metaphors, it's time to edit.  Take turns reading the story out loud to each other.  Does the story have varied sentence length?  Do too many sentences start the same way?  For example, "then...., then...., then..," or "and....and....and...".  Are words spelled correctly?  Do ideas flow smoothly?  Is it grammatically correct?  Make necessary changes and rewrite a neat final copy. Step 7     Smile the hardest part is done.  Now you will illustrate your story.  You may use pencils, crayons, colored pencils or water color paints.  Be sure to make it match your story.  Make use of the whole paper and include background. Step 8     Create a trophy or medal design appropriate for your hero.  Be sure it reflects the heroic deed and the animal.  Use the materials provided by the teacher.  Have fun and be creative!

Title - Introduction -  Task - Process - Evaluation - Conclusion - Teacher Page