Student Short Stories

Kari H.

Kassia H.

Anna C.

Lindsay D.

Stephen P.

Michael D.

Ryan M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rockwell Short Stories

Grade 9 English

Mrs. Swanson (Cape Lazo Middle School)

TASK

The pictures created by Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) are recognized and admired by millions around the world. Incredibly, his work was featured on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post for over 40 years. Your task is to search the Internet for images created by Norman Rockwell and create a short story based on your favourite Rockwell painting. First, you will need to learn about the elements of short stories.

PROCESS

1. Please go to the following site to learn about the elements of short stories: point of view, characters, setting, plot, and theme. Read the story, look at the examples, and complete the activities. http://www.learner.org/exhibits/literature/index.html

2. Search the Internet for images created by Norman Rockwell and select your favourite painting. Use Google Image for your search.

3. Take a look at your illustration. Jot down key words and phrases from your first impressions. What do you see? What is happening?

4. Choose a protagonist from the illustration and create two character webs - one for character traits and the other for the character's appearance. Use your imagination to give names to the protagonist, as well as, any others who may be in the illustration. Click for character web.

5. Write the title Before. Jot down key words and phrases to describe what you think happened before the events in the illustration.

6. Write the title During. Jot down key words and phrases to describe what you think is happening in the illustration.

7. Write the title After. Jot down key words and phrases to describe what you think happened after the picture.

8. Think about a standard plot outline:

9. Now write the first draft of your story. It should be about 500 words long and double-spaced. In the first draft, just write the story as you think it. Don't worry about spelling, punctuation and grammar. It might help to tell someone your story orally first. Type it on the computer, print it off and make your corrections by hand.

10. Once you have written your first draft, do your first edit. Make sure you use proper paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting sentence, clincher) and correct sentence structure. Double-check your spelling and punctuation. Add in your dress-ups and sentence openers as described in the Excellence in Writing program.

11. Once you have reached this stage, you are ready for a peer-edit. Another student should read your work, help you fine tune it by suggesting dress ups, helping you with sentence structure and making suggestions for improvement. They should also let you know what you are doing well. Have them sign the second draft.

12. Use the computer to make revisions for your final copy. Save it as a Word document and as a webpage.

 

CRITERIA: NORMAN ROCKWELL CREATIVE STORY