Student Assignment: Creating a Collaborative Story

Lesson #1: Simple Collaboration

Like a childhood car game, this exercise will be simple and fun. Students will learn that there are many directions a story can go and might be surprised at the creativity of their classmates.

• Have each student write the first word of a sentence on a blank piece of paper. (The student originating the story should also put his/her name on the paper.)
• Each student will then pass the paper to his/her left.
• Students will write another word on the paper they receive.
• This will continue for at least 50 rounds (about a paragraph).

At the end of the class, return the newly formed stories to the students whose names are on the paper. Have students volunteer to read "their" stories aloud. Ask the person who "originated" the story if he had any idea the story would turn out the way it did. Discuss, as a class, how easily and quickly a story can change direction.

Lesson #2: Start in the Middle (based on our text)

• Gather clips of beginning scenes of sitcoms and movies that show the idea of "starting in the middle."
• Show 10-20 second clips of 2-3 different shows/movies. It is best to use clips the students will be unfamiliar with.
• As a class, make a list of all the things you know and/or don't know about the setting, characters and plot.
• Gather 5 sentences from novels or short stories that start in the middle. Discuss how this is similar to the show/movie clips.

• Students write 5 beginning sentences that start in the middle.
• Students choose 1 sentence from the 5 that they think is best, or could imagine turning into a story.
• Students write the chosen sentence on a clean sheet of paper.
• Each student passes the paper to his/her left.
• Each student adds one sentence to the paper she receives.
• Rotate 5-10 times, depending on the time available and the writing level of the students.
• Return the completed stories to the original sentence creator.
• Have students explain what type of story they had in mind when they started the story and if they were surprised by the way the story ended up.

Discuss, as a class, the value of input of other students in the room, especially when experiencing "writers' block."