Directions: You will write a story about a boy or girl going through puberty and adolescence. You should be able to show some puberty changes the teen goes through in your story, and show some emotional problems they may face with either their parents, their friends, or with bullies. Then you should show, through the story, how your teen solves their problems and becomes healthy and happy.
You will be graded on:
Quality of story. Is it believable? Was there a climax (most intense part to the story)? Did you show good coping strategies the teen used to deal with the problems they faced? Did you show examples of puberty throughout your description of the characters? Did you use correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling? Did you use correct formatting for dialogue?
Story must be printed and ready to turn in on the due date.
Elements of a Short StoryThe following literary elements will be discussed as we study short stories:
Plot: The chain of related events that explains to us what happens in a story
Conflict aka "the Hook": A struggle between two opposing characters or forces
Character: A person, animal, or imaginary creature in a story, play, or another literary work
Setting: The time and place of a story
Theme: The general idea or message about life that is revealed through a work of literature
Plot and the Plot DiagramPlot is the series of events in a story that explain to the reader what is happening. One of the easiest ways to understand plot is to look at the mountain shaped plot diagram and think of story in terms of climbing a mountain. Please refer to the corresponding image to see the diagram and its labels.
Stage 1 - Exposition
Exposition is at the base of the mountain or the beginning of the story. This is where the author sets up the story including characters, setting, and main conflicts.
Stage 2 - Rising Action
The Rising Action occurs as you begin to move throughout the story. This is where conflicts start to build just like when you climb a mountain you are moving further along.
Stage 3 - Climax
The Climax is the turning point of the story. You have reached the top of the mountain and you cannot go any further, you have to turn and go down. This point in the story is when things finally start to move in a different direction and it may not always be a positive direction.
Stage 4 - Falling Action
Falling Action occurs after the climax as things start to work themselves out in the story. You are coming down the mountain just as you are coming down from the excitement of the climax.
Stage 5 - Resolution
The Resolution is the solution to the problem as you have reached the bottom of the mountain. The solution might not be what you want, but the conflict has been resolved.
Week of July 31
Week of July 24
Week of July 17
What is empathy? and How do we get along with others?
Please read these articles then answer the questions below in your UOI notebook.
Discussion Questions 1. When people get along well with each other, it shows. How do they talk to each other? How do they treat each other?
2. Did you ever notice how some relationships are low-maintenance, while others take more effort? If you’ve ever had to work hard to get along with someone, describe what that was like. Was it worth it?
3. When it comes to healthy relationships, communication is the name of the game. List some rules for communicating effectively with friends and family. 4. Arguments are bound to happen, but they don’t necessarily have to end with a “winner” and a “loser.” Explain why this is true.
Activity: You’ve just been hired to be the advice columnist for the school newspaper. The column’s focus is “getting along with others.” First, come up with a name for your column. Then read the KidsHealth.org articles for ideas and information about dealing with conflicts and getting along. Your assignment is to give advice to the students who wrote these letters to the newspaper:
My parents and I yell at each other a lot lately. They still treat me like a little kid. I want to stay up later and go places with my friends. Every time I try to do something on my own, there’s a blowout and I end up storming off to my room! Help! – MyParentsAreCrazy
My BFF is hanging out a lot with people I don’t get along with and it feels like we barely see each other anymore. What should I do? – Almost ExBFF
Write a response to the students that includes: • a clear description of the conflict • a discussion of what each side might be thinking and feeling • tips that will help both sides talk and listen effectively to each other • at least three suggestions for working out the problem together