Tip #152 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley, Trombly)

Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.

#152

Probable Passages

If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.

~Ancient Chinese Proverb

Probable Passages is an activity that works well for children who have difficulty deciding what to write about. Here’s how it works:

The first part of probable passages will need to be done by you; the rest is for your child to complete. First, choose any age appropriate story; although this activity works best if you choose a story that your child has never read before. Your part is simple: just leaf through the book and choose words, phrases or pieces of narrative from the book that sound interesting to you. (Note: When you are choosing the fragments for this activity you should make an effort to pick words and phrases from a variety of story elements (Idea #84). Here are some examples of probable passages:

rain was pounding

stranger in town,

steep bluffs,

water is rising

cold

Aunt Betty

scruffy dog

boat is missing

lost

“Help is coming,” she cried.

simple cottage

“Don’t give up!” he pleaded.

Show these fragments to your child. Give her a blank story map (Idea #81) or a sheet of paper with headings labeled “Setting,” “Character,” “Problem,” “Events,” and “Resolution” written across the top. Ask her to write each fragment under the heading where she believes it fits best. Stress that there are no right or wrong answers. For example, she may choose to place “rain was pounding” under the heading “setting” or “problem”- either one would be fine. She should choose to put the fragments wherever they make sense to her.

Once she has all the fragments written into the different headings, she is ready to take the fragments and create a story of her own. Her story should include all of the words, phrases and narrative you provided her, but it’s up to her to decide what events take place and how the problems get solved. Make sure you have chosen some words and phrases to guide her and give her many various directions in which to head. Remind her that all good stories have a beginning, middle and an end and therefore she will have to add many more words and phrases to complete her story. The object is not to write all the passages in the shortest possible paragraph! Rather, the object is to take the passages and use them to write a short but complete story with interesting characters, plot, and dialogue.

After her story is complete, show your child the story from which the words came. Read the story together. Compare and contrast the stories. Was her story similar or very different from the original author’s story? You will both enjoy discovering how the author used the same words and phrases (along with many others) to create a story different from hers.

Variation:

You could even encourage her to set up this activity for you (or someone else willing to participate). Have her choose a favorite story and select words and phrases from it to give to you. You can try to decide what story elements they describe and write the story you think they create together. Read it to her. Now let her read the real story to you. Together, you can compare and contrast your version to the original. Not only will this get her writing and reading, but also thinking critically when she is carefully choosing the fragments to provide for you.

Note: Younger children can enjoy this activity by dictating the story to you as you write down the words.

Cindy McKinley Alder                          Patti Trombly

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