Chain Story Activity

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Chain Story Activity

• A CALL Reading Writing Project
• By Jan Boulingui and Hyun Lee

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Activity Aims

• Develop writing skills
• Learn story-telling techniques
• Enhance reading skills
• Cultivate peer editing

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Activity Process

• Brainstorming Ss and T brainstorm feelings and
  vocabulary associated with moving to another
  country. (i.e. food, transportation)

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Story Process

• Story Beginning Ss write a short paragraph
  about an imaginary students first day in the
  United States. (10min)
• Story Middle Ss change computer stations, read
  a peers paragraph, and continue the story in a
  second paragraph. (15min)
• Story End Ss return to their original story,
  read what his/her peer added and finish the
  story. (20min)

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Example Story P1

• Juanita was feeling sad. She had to leave her
  family. Her father decided that it was time for
  her to move to the States. It was her father's
  belief that Juanita could get a good education in
  the States and eventually make something of
  herself. When she stepped off from the plane, she
  got a first real glimpse of New York. What a big
  city! The freeways were so big and wide! And
  people were everywhere.

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Paragraph 2

• The first thing Juanita needed to do was find her
  university. She tried to ask someone walking by,
  but the woman didn't stop. Juanita tried to talk
  to several people, but no one would stop to help
  her. She almost started crying, but tried to be
  brave. Finally, she went up to a ticket counter
  and asked the man working there. He explained how
  to get to her school. He was very kind.

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Paragraph 3

• Juanita introduced herself to Steve. Steve was a
  lanky, young man in early twenties with kind,
  twinkling eyes. He explained that he goes to the
  same university as Juanita. Juanita was happy to
  hear that! A friend already and it is only her
  first day in New York. Juanita waved good bye to
  Steve and stepped off confidently toward her new
  future.

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ACTIVITY

• Now its your turn!
• In pairs, you will write a short story on the
  following topic
• HALLOWEEN!!

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Activity Alternatives

• The Ss are given a picture and must write a story
  based on that picture.
• The story could be written with an
  English-speaking keypal.
• Give students a sentence to begin their story.
• Other suggestions???