knee-deep in higher learning

Monday, August 29, 2011

365 TV-Free Activities: Day 89, idea #43 Chain Story

This activity, in our year-long project, requires that you ask one kid to start a story, and then invite other kids to contribute sentences. I would usually initiate each kid's contribution by reading what we had so far. Then, they would say something and I tried to edit as little as possible. Doing it on the computer made it easy, and seeing their words become print is an excellent way to reinforce the literacy-language connection. They see that what they are saying and hearing is the same as what they are writing and everyone else is reading. The collaboration process also offers plenty of opportunities to respect the artist in each other.

The following is what I could extract from Henry, Thomas and George. Who has a Minecraft habit? Who bends your mind with a twist of phraseology? Who has a knack for the brain-soothing Hollywood Happy Ending? See if you can tell who contributed what. I give you:

Michele and Joseph Go to New Jersey
or
Flat Tire! Penguins Get Saved

Michele and Joseph wanted to go to New Jersey, but their Mini Cooper had a flat tire. So, first they needed to go and get a new one. And a flat car needs a new tire. They looked around, but they couldn't find any tire shop. So, they make a rim out of wood and they found an old rubber block in the ground. They dug it up and forged a tire. They got on the road and went to New Jersey.

As they were driving through Kansas, they met up with some lost penguins, who are trying to keep cool in the dessert. Michele offered to help the penguins by getting them on a plane set for Antarctica, when they got to New Jersey. A flat car wants to ride with some people and penguins. The penguins said, "Can I fly in an airplane? Can I? Can I?" The penguins said, "YES."

They went to New Jersey and put them on a plane. The penguins went to Antarctica. So now Michele and Joseph went to a water park because it was a sunny day. After the water park, they went to get some ice cream. Michele took Joseph to a playground and then they went home.

The End

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