This download includes the following 10 pages:

• This instruction sheet

• Assignment sheet

• Brainstorming sheet

• Story Planner (Introduction, Rising Action, Climax….)

• Template for “Dial-A-Mystery”

• 3 sheets of themed writing paper

• Editing Worksheet—can be use for self or peer evaluation

• Teacher Marking Rubric

“Dial-A-Mystery” Instructions / Ideas

Sometimes students can get “stuck” with the brainstorming sheet and quickly run out of ideas when

writing a short story. One fun way to get around writer’s block is to use a “Dial-A-Mystery”

template and writing strategy.

• Have students brainstorm ideas for characters, settings, and spooky words.

• Ask students to call out their ideas and share with the class.

• Write the lists on the board / overhead using the template provided

• Create a list of 10 characters (protagonists)

• Create another list of 10 characters (antagonists)

• Create a list of 10 settings

• Create a list 10 spooky words / items / things

• Students complete the template based on the classes’ suggestions

• To “Dial-A-Mystery” students use the last four numbers of their phone number to pick which

characters / setting / words or items they need to include in their story.

• For example if the last four digits of a student’s phone number are –”4986”

the student would use the fourth character in column 1, the ninth character in column 2, the eighth

setting in column 3 and the sixth idea in column 4.

• I don’t tell them about the “Dial-A-Mystery” aspect until we’ve filled in the template with

everyone’s ideas. Students love “dialing” their story, they have a great time writing their stories

and nobody seems to be stuck for an idea.

I hope that you and your students have fun!

© Addie Williams

Due Date ______

Write a creative and spooky Halloween short story. Include no more than 3 characters and try to avoid a lot of dialogue (speaking) as it is much more challenging to write.

Use the brainstorming sheet to help with spooky ideas.

Your spooky Halloween story must include the following:

• A creative and tantalizing title • Logical reasons for why the events occur • At least one illustration (hand-drawn/computer) • An interesting and captivating storyline that builds to a climax • Paragraphs / good organization • Vivid verbs and details to add depth and meaning to your story REMEMBER: If you are missing any of the above criteria you will be asked to correct the problem and resubmit your story. Have fun and try to make your story as spooky as possible.

Don’t forget the following when writing your story. • It is easiest to write in past tense… as if the story happened

already. • I WENT to the store and I SAW a ghost on my way.

• Check that all of your verbs are in the same tense. • Paragraphs help a reader make sense of your work. • Please SPELLCHECK. Use a dictionary if you are stuck on a word. • Ask a friend or family member to proofread your work and look

for errors.

© Addie Williams

Halloween Brainstorming Name:____________

Spooky Halloween characters

Spooky Halloween locations

Brainstorm a spooky conf lict (main problem in the story) Brainstorm descriptive and spooky Halloween words /items and ideas

© Addie Williams

1. Int

rodu

ction

: Th

eme o

f the

stor

y:

Conf

lict

2. In

citin

g Inc

ident

6. Co

nclus

ion

4. Cli

max

Prot

agon

ist:__________________________________________

An

tago

nist: __________________________________________

Shor

t Sto

ry Pl

anne

r Na

me: _

__

__

__

___

___

____

__

__

___

___

© A

ddie

Will

iam

s

© A

ddie

Will

iam

s Char

acte

r (Pr

otag

onist

) Ch

arac

ter (

Anta

gonis

t) Se

ttin

g Ob

ject /

Wor

d / It

em

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0 Hallo

ween

Ide

a Sh

eet

Name

: ___

____

____

____

___

Switch your paragraph with a partner and edit each other’s work using the checklist or use it to check your own paragraph.

Is there an interesting / catchy title? __________

Does the first sentence grab your attention? __________

Is there a clear story introduction? __________

Does the story build to a climax? __________

Does the story have a logical plot? __________

Is there a conclusion to the story? __________

Are there interesting and vivid verbs? __________

Are all the words spelled correctly? (Circle errors) __________

Are the sentences varied in length and start with different words? __________

I really liked: _______________________________________________________________________________ I’d like to know more about: ___________________________________________________________________ To improve your story you could... _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Not Quite Yet 2 marks

Good Start 3 marks

You did it! 4 marks

Wow! 5 marks

Content

• I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate.

• I have poorly connected ideas and no climax.

• I am missing key details and my reader might be confused.

• I have a basic story.

• I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details.

• Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story.

• I have an interesting story.

• My paragraph builds to a climax.

• My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story.

• I have an engaging and creative story.

• My story builds to a logical climax.

• I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story.

Style

• Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward

• I used basic, simple language

• I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences

• I used everyday, conversational language

• I used a variety of sentence types and lengths

• My language is clear, appropriate, and varied

• My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively

• My language is clear, varied and mature

Form

• I have little to no introduction.

• I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another

• I have little to no conclusion.

• I have a basic introduction that explains the situation

• My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed

• I have a weak conclusion

• I have an interesting intro-duction

• I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly

• I have a conclusion

• I have an engaging introduction.

• I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions

• I have a creative and engaging conclusion

Spelling & Grammar

• There are many errors in simple words or sentences

• I have frequent run-on’s and fragments

• There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences

• I have some run-on’s or fragments

• There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language

• Most sentences are correct; some errors

• I have very few spelling and grammar errors.

• I have very few errors in complicated sentences

Peer / Self Assessment—Mark the short story using the rubric below.

© Addie Williams

Short Story Editing Worksheet Name: _________________

Not Quite Yet 2 marks

Good Start 3 marks

You did it! 4 marks

Wow! 5 marks

Content

• I presented some ideas; but they may be illogical or inappropriate.

• I have poorly connected ideas and no climax.

• I am missing key details and my reader might be confused.

• I have a basic story.

• I have tried to build to a climax, but I am missing some details.

• Some parts are clear, but more details are needed to help the reader understand the story.

• I have an interesting story.

• My paragraph builds to a climax.

• My details are thoughtful and help guide the reader through the story.

• I have an engaging and creative story.

• My story builds to a logical climax.

• I have creative details and explanations to guide the reader through the story.

Style

• Some of my sentences are short and choppy or long and awkward

• I used basic, simple language

• I have some sentence variety and used complex sentences

• I used everyday, con-versational language

• I used a variety of sentence types and lengths

• My language is clear, appropriate, and varied

• My writing flows smoothly and I used sentence types and lengths effectively

• My language is clear, varied and mature

Form

• I have little to no introduction.

• I sometimes shifted abruptly from one idea to another

• I have little to no conclusion.

• I have a basic introduction that explains the situation

• My Ideas are together but may be listed rather than developed

• I have a weak conclusion

• I have an interesting intro-duction

• I have a logical sequence and my transitions connect ideas clearly

• I have a conclusion

• I have an engaging introduction.

• I have a smooth and logical sequence and transitions

• I have a creative and engaging conclusion

Spelling & Grammar

• There are frequent errors in simple words or sentences

• I have frequent run-on’s and fragments

• There are some noticeable errors in basic words and sentences

• I have some run-on’s or fragments

• There may be some noticeable errors in difficult language

• Most sentences are correct; some errors

• I have very few spelling and grammar errors.

• I have occasional errors in complicated sentences

© Addie Williams

Short Story Rubric Name: _________________

Teacher Comments:

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© Addie Williams

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© Addie Williams

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© Addie Williams

Thanks so much!

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Terms of Use

Thanks to the following artists.

Copying any part of this product and placing it on the internet in any form (even a personal / classroom website) is forbidden and is a

violation of the Digital Mil lennium Copyright Act (DMCA). These items can be picked up in a search and downloaded for free.

This product is meant for single classroom / teacher use only—please do NOT distribute to others. Thanks for respecting the

hard work of others.

~ Addie