Amazing Story Leads

October 06, 2009

The writers in Room 11 blew me away this morning. For the last couple of days we have been talking about story leads. Today we examined more closely the strategies published writers use to draw their readers into their stories in the first few sentences. We discussed that they often use dialog, small actions, descriptive language to describe the setting, or a combination of these things to create the mood of their story. After trying it out once while we were still gathered on the carpet, the children went off to try it out on their own. Below is what they came up with. Their story leads are truly amazing!! Please, take a look.

Clop. Clop. “Wait for me.” I was running down the plank.

“Wahoo!” I yelled. I was going to China Town.

“Yes!” I was getting ready to do the Rock Fest with my brother.

“Hey!” I said. That was it. I was out. I stomped out of the room.

It was dark. Thuddd. You could hear the running in the distance. “There,” I said. “You’re it!” I yelled.

Crack! Faster and faster down I fell. “Aaaaaah,” I screamed.

I stretched over the railing. Somebody pushed me. SPLASH! I fell in.

I threw the golf club instead of hitting the ball. “Oh no,” my dad yelled.

I ran up the stairs. I stopped, turned to the slide, and jumped on.

I saw a light. I went to the light. I tripped. When I got up I was on soft grass.

Finally. It was set. I was going to test it.

I was so excited my heart was pounding. I was going to pick up my mom from the airport. –

I went to the park and I saw a new swing. I got on it and said, “Woohooo.” –

I was watching t.v. when my dad suddenly said, “Get over here!” –

CRASH! The wave slammed on the shore! A little motor zoomed across the water. I jumped in. SPLASH! –

BOOM! A loud sound came from the car. BOOM! Again, the car made that sound. BOOM! We tried to go. Our car broke down.

“What! Why! No!”

I was cheerfully playing on the DS Lite. My little brother Calvin had just told me how to complete "Stand tall 4 pillars."

I was at the park playing soccer with my cousin. "Goal!" I said. I kicked the ball. POW! The ball went flying into the air.

"Dad, come down here. The football game is on."

I was running as fast as I could go! I was on the Wonders soccer team. All of the sudden THWACK, the ball hit me in the stomach.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! I was running as fast as I could go. "Tag, you're it," Rita said as she tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

We have great personal narratives on the way!!!!

Tags: 3rd grade , 4th grade , writer's workshop

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COMMENTS

Great leads for stories, very expressive kids with lots of action, going on here." Keep up the good work," George's mother.

Aldonia Bailey 4:09PM 11/06/09

Wow! These leads make me want to know the whole story-all the stories! Exciting, evocative beginnings! More, more!

Paula Solano 11:00AM 10/17/09

Click, click..."Wow!" Room 11's Amazing Story Leads popped up on the screen. "Those kid's sure can write!" I said as I leaned forward to read them all. Thanks! Rainey's mom.

Elizabeth Rainey 2:29PM 10/08/09

Writers of Room 11-all of your story leads have drawn me in to your tales. I leave school tonight with curiosity and wonderings. Wonderings of what will happen next, predictions of the plot, and thoughts of your setting. I l look forward to reading your personal narratives and putting my curious mind at ease.

Lauren O'Neill 10:08PM 10/06/09

Reader's Notebooks

September 11, 2009

This year students will be writing about reading in their Reader's Notebooks. For their first entry, they reflected on what they know to be true about reading. Here are some of their responses:

Books can take you out of this world.
Some books can solve your problems.
I like to read to other people.
Reading is like sports for your eyes.
Sometimes I don't feel like reading.
Sometimes I relate to the characters.
Books are better than t.v.
Books give you more information than movies.
When I get really into a book I feel like I am the character.
I like to read different books in my room.
I know I have to get a book I enjoy to read.

This is just snapshot of the children's ideas, but a window into the rich reading lives of the students in Room 11!

Tags: 3rd grade , 4th grade reader's workshop , reader's notebooks

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A Great First Day!

September 08, 2009

Hello Room 11 Families,

Room 11 had a splendid first day. It was nice to meet or reconnect with so many of you this morning. The highlight for me was the "hot lava" game. Imagine a group of four students attempting to get across the half basketball court (a pool of molten lava) using only three file folders. They actually only had half of each file folder. Putting their heads together, they had to come up with and execute a plan to get all four people across, while only being allowed to step on the folders. All six groups made it across!! A couple of groups had to scrap their first strategy and start over, but they persevered. Some things I observed students doing: agreeing on a plan before acting, modifying plans along the way, encouraging each other, trying again, having fun, and working together. It was a beautiful sight! I wish I had had my camera with me.

Jessica Yarger

Amazing Story Leads

Reader's Notebooks

A Great First Day!