Shared Journal
We are a community of authors.
Together we will learn to improve our writing with oral story telling, sensory details, questioning and crafting engaging paragraphs.
Step 1:
Three authors will volunteer to TELL an engaging story, as the class takes notes about each story individually.
Step 2:
After each author tells a story, members of the listening audience will discuss what they liked best about each presentation. Discuss what makes each a "good story" using evidence from note taking.
Examples: "I like how funny his story was when he talked about the boy rolling down the hill with his dog."
"I could feel how sad she was when she mentioned her grandmother's scarf lying lifeless on the bed."
"I can relate to his story because I often find my little brother taking my phone. It drives me crazy too."
Step 3
The class will vote on which of the three stories will be used as the model to inspire either a retelling or original narratives.
Step 4
Each author returns to their own computer. Using notes taken during the storytelling, authors compose an original piece of choice.
1. Retell the story using details told by the storyteller.
2. The author relates a personal story to the tale told by the storyteller.
Example: "I can relate to Tommy's story about getting a new puppy because my family found a cat and now I have a new cat."
Step 5
During the writing process, authors conference with the teacher and other authors. They many ask questions of the storyteller for more details.
Step 6
Table partners read the completed drafts of other authors. Together, the table votes on which story is engaging enough to be chosen as the story of the day. Each table reads the one chosen story to the class. Then the class votes on the most interesting, engaging, descriptive story. In doing so, all authors hear stories that exemplify "good story telling."
Step 7
The story chosen as the days winner is published on the class website and inside the classroom.