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28 Writing Add-On Stories

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Writing Add-On Stories

Start-Up Activity

Ask your students "Who knows the story of the Three Little Pigs?" Most hands will go up. Then lead a discussion:

  • What problem did the first little pig have? (He built his house of straw, and a wolf blew it down.)

  • What problem did the second little pig have? (He built his house of sticks, and the wolf blew it down.)

  • How did their problem get solved? (They hid in their brother's house, made of bricks, which the wolf couldn't blow down.)

Let them know that many stories start with a character who has a problem. More characters are added along the way until the problem is solved. A surprise at the end makes the story fun. (The wolf tries to climb down the chimney but gets his bottom burned in the kettle!)

Think About It

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.”

—Duke Ellington

 

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Page 137 from Write Away

Sample Add-On Story

Have volunteers read aloud each paragraph of the sample add-on story. Then lead a discussion:

  • What problem does Connie have? (She wants to learn to tap dance.)
  • Whom does she ask for help? (She asks Karen, Reba, her neighbor, and her dad.)
  • How does Connie's problem get solved? (Her dad teaches her to tap dance.)
  • What surprise happens at the end? (Connie didn't know her dad could tap dance.)

Tell students that their own add-on stories should involve a problem that characters one by one try to solve.

For an additional add-on story, share with students A Fable.

 

 

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Page 138 from Write Away

Writing an Add-On Story

Help students brainstorm characters for their add-on stories:

  • List the three funniest people you know.
  • Write down three animals that you like.
  • List three interesting jobs that people do.
  • From your lists, choose one main character for your add-on story.

Once students have decided on a main character, have them think of a problem that person, animal, or worker might face. They can list many problems and then choose one that would be most interesting. For example, a plumber might face a problem of a kitten stuck in a drain pipe.

Finally, have students list others characters they could add to solve the problem.

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Page 139 from Write Away

Write, Revise, and Edit

Have your students draft their stories, introducing their main characters, setting up the problem, and bringing add-on characters in one by one.

Once they have finished drafting, have them revise and edit using the questions on the page. You can distribute a checklist to guide students as they improve their writing.

 

 

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