CEClang.55


TITLE:    Once Upon A Time . . .

AUTHOR:   Debra Toennis, Park School, Weiser, Idaho

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  Intermediate,  Language Arts

OVERVIEW:  We are all familiar with "Story Starters,"
which initiate an idea from which an exposition flows.
This variation requires students to "think in reverse";
to reconstruct the missing elements of a story so that
they make sense, or "fit into" what has been provided.

Students themselves will judge the results, identifying
which tales are more complete, interesting,
imaginative, and do the best to incorporate the known
facts.

PURPOSE:  This writing activity uses the fairy tale
structure to demonstrate all of the elements of a short
story.

OBJECTIVE(s):  The students will be able to:
1.  Write an introduction and conclusion to a fairy
    tale.
2.  Identify the components necessary for a complete
    story.
3.  Use context clues to determine what came before,
    and after.
4.  Expand a character based on limited information.
5.  Develop their imaginations and ideas.

RESOURCES:  Fairy tale, paper, pencil, art supplies.
For best results, use a "lesser known" fairy tale.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Review basic outline of a fairy tale:  Intro
     (Setting     and Characters), Plot Development,
     Complication, Climax, Resolution.
2.   Read some "middle" paragraphs of a fairy tale.
     Instruct the students to write what happened
     before and after these paragraphs.
3.   Encourage the students to illustrate their tales.
4.   Read the students' tales out loud to class.
5.   Read original fairy tale, completely, from
     beginning to end.


TYING IT ALL TOGETHER  An excellent  way to teach story
structure is to make a "flow chart" of a story, listing
the elements in order. It's fun to watch "The Little
Mermaid" and then identify the elements of the story.

It is possible to expand this activity by using
different genres (Science Fiction, Mystery, Humorous,
etc...).