Dial-A-Mystery Instructions / Ideas

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2 This download includes the following 10 pages: This instruction sheet Assignment sheet Brainstorming sheet Story Planner (Introduction, Rising Action, Climax.) Template for Dial-A-Mystery 3 sheets of themed writing paper Editing Worksheet can be use for self or peer evaluation Teacher Marking Rubric Dial-A-Mystery Instructions / Ideas Sometimes students can get stuck with the brainstorming sheet and quickly run out of ideas when writing a short story. One fun way to get around writer s block is to use a Dial-A-Mystery template and writing strategy. Have students brainstorm ideas for characters, settings, and spooky words. Ask students to call out their ideas and share with the class. Write the lists on the board / overhead using the template provided Create a list of 10 characters (protagonists) Create another list of 10 characters (antagonists) Create a list of 10 settings Create a list 10 spooky words / items / things Students complete the template based on the classes suggestions To Dial-A-Mystery students use the last four numbers of their phone number to pick which characters / setting / words or items they need to include in their story. For example if the last four digits of a student s phone number are 4986 the student would use the fourth character in column 1, the ninth character in column 2, the eighth setting in column 3 and the sixth idea in column 4. I don t tell them about the Dial-A-Mystery aspect until we ve filled in the template with everyone s ideas. Students love dialing their story, they have a great time writing their stories and nobody seems to be stuck for an idea. I hope that you and your students have fun!

3 Due Date Write a creative and spooky Halloween short story. Include no more than 3 characters and try to avoid a lot of dialogue (speaking) as it is much more challenging to write. Use the brainstorming sheet to help with spooky ideas. Your spooky Halloween story must include the following: A creative and tantalizing title Logical reasons for why the events occur At least one illustration (hand-drawn/computer) An interesting and captivating storyline that builds to a climax Paragraphs / good organization Vivid verbs and details to add depth and meaning to your story REMEMBER: If you are missing any of the above criteria you will be asked to correct the problem and resubmit your story. Have fun and try to make your story as spooky as possible. Don t forget the following when writing your story. It is easiest to write in past tense as if the story happened already. I WENT to the store and I SAW a ghost on my way. Check that all of your verbs are in the same tense. Paragraphs help a reader make sense of your work. Please SPELLCHECK. Use a dictionary if you are stuck on a word. Ask a friend or family member to proofread your work and look for errors.

4 Halloween Brainstorming Name: Spooky Halloween characters Spooky Halloween locations Brainstorm a spooky conflict (main problem in the story) Brainstorm descriptive and spooky Halloween words /items and ideas

5 Short Story Planner Name: Antagonist: 1. Introduction: Theme of the story: Protagonist: 2. Inciting Incident 4. Climax 6. Conclusion Conflict

6 Halloween Idea Sheet Name: Character (Protagonist) Character (Antagonist) Setting Object / Word / Item

7 Short Story Editing Worksheet Name: Switch your paragraph with a partner and edit each other s work using the checklist or use it to check your own paragraph. Is there an interesting / catchy title? Does the first sentence grab your attention? Is there a clear story introduction? Does the story build to a climax? Does the story have a logical plot? Is there a conclusion to the story? Are there interesting and vivid verbs? Are all the words spelled correctly? (Circle errors) Are the sentences varied in length and start with different words? I really liked: I d like to know more about: To improve your story you could... Peer / Self Assessment Mark the short story using the rubric below. Not Quite Yet 2 marks Good Start 3 marks You did it! 4 marks Wow! 5 marks Content I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate. I have poorly connected ideas and no climax. I am missing key details and my reader might be confused. I have a basic story. I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details. Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story. I have an interesting story. My paragraph builds to a climax. My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story. I have an engaging and creative story. My story builds to a logical climax. I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story. Style Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward I used basic, simple language I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences I used everyday, conversational language I used a variety of sentence types and lengths My language is clear, appropriate, and varied My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively My language is clear, varied and mature Form I have little to no introduction. I have a basic introduction that explains the situation I have an interesting introduction I have an engaging introduction. I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions I have little to no conclusion. I have a weak conclusion I have a conclusion I have a creative and engaging conclusion Spelling & Grammar There are many errors in simple words or sentences I have frequent run-on s and fragments There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences I have some run-on s or fragments There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language Most sentences are correct; some errors I have very few spelling and grammar errors. I have very few errors in complicated sentences

8 Short Story Rubric Name: Not Quite Yet 2 marks Good Start 3 marks You did it! 4 marks Wow! 5 marks Content I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate. I have poorly connected ideas and no climax. I am missing key details and my reader might be confused. I have a basic story. I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details. Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story. I have an interesting story. My paragraph builds to a climax. My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story. I have an engaging and creative story. My story builds to a logical climax. I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story. Style Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward I used basic, simple language I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences I used everyday, conversational language I used a variety of sentence types and lengths My language is clear, appropriate, and varied My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively My language is clear, varied and mature Form I have little to no introduction. I have a basic introduction that explains the situation I have an interesting introduction I have an engaging introduction. I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions I have little to no conclusion. I have a weak conclusion I have a conclusion I have a creative and engaging conclusion Spelling & Grammar There are frequent errors in simple words or sentences I have frequent run-on s and fragments There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences I have some run-on s or fragments There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language Most sentences are correct; some errors I have very few spelling and grammar errors. I have occasional errors in complicated sentences Teacher Comments:

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