Write Me A Story

Designed by Lori Douroux, Caughman Road Elementary School

Grade: 2nd      Subject: Language Arts

Core Objectives: Engages in sustained writing of various types of compositions (journals, letters, reports, poetry, and stories).  (2-WA-3)

Overview: Students will go through the writing process, to submit a story to Write Me A Story on www.kidscom.com

Focus Question: How do we write a story to submit to a writing contest? 

Time Frame: Five one hour class periods initially; occasionally throughout the year. 

Resources/Materials 
www.kidscom.com 
Paper 
Pencils 
Computer lab with Internet access 
Overhead Transparencies 
Television 
Computer 
Averkey 
Alphasmarts 

Culminating Assessment: Students will submit their rough drafts and final copy of their story to the teacher. The teacher will assess the student's understanding by using the following rubric.

Write Me A Story Rubric

 Teacher Preparation: 
The teacher should send home a letter explaining this activity along with the Kidscom registration (www.kidscom.com/orakc/site/registration_form.html?) Form for the parents to grant permission. After permission is granted, the teacher must fax all the signed forms to 414-271-2728.

Activity One: The teacher will begin by asking the students what they like most about story writing. Have students share topics they like to write about. Tell them they are about to write stories and submit them to an online contest. Using the computer, averkey and television set explore Write Me A Story on www.kidscom.com. Simply type www.kidscom.com, then click on site map, next on write me a story. Carefully read and discuss how Write Me...Works, frequently asked questions and the other components to the program. Allow the students to read several of the posted stories to get a clear idea.

Activity Two: Using the Averkey, television and computer log back into www.kidscom.com. Go to props to see the new character, event and place. (The props change on Tuesdays). Using the overhead projector, the teacher will model forms for prewriting. She will model organizing her thoughts. Have students take out pencil and paper to begin prewriting. This is the time when the students will brainstorm thoughts and organize those thoughts into an organizer of their choice. Organizers may include; story webs, graphic organizers, lists etc. The teacher should encourage the students to get all their good thoughts down.

Activity Three: The teacher will model using her prewriting organizer to create a rough draft of the story. The students will write a rough draft of their story as the teacher circulates and monitors giving assistance as needed. When a student is finished they will self-edit, peer edit and lastly edit with the teacher. Together the teacher and the student will locate errors and add details. If time permits, allow the students to share their story with the class.

Activity Four: After all steps of editing are complete the students will use their rough drafts to type their story on a computer. If computers are limited you may allow students to use alphasmarts. The teacher will monitor and assist where needed. The students will use spell check when they are finished typing. Have the students print out their completed stories. The students will turn in the rough draft and the final copy to the teacher. The teacher will assess the students writing by using the scoring rubric.

Activity Five: Students will submit their stories to www.kidscom.com after the teacher has given them the go ahead. At this time the teacher will help those students needing additional assistance. Once all the students have sent their stories, allow them to check regularly for any winning published work. Continue to write and submit stories throughout the year.

Extension: After students comprehend how to write and submit stories you may want to teach them how to go online and vote for the winning stories. Also encourage students to use this web site from home. The students may want to read their stories to another grade or read them to the principal.