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This entry is entitled "Puzzle Fiction." Much like the piecing together of a puzzle, students choose various story elements from articles in the newspaper in order to piece together the skeleton of a fictional story. For example, they might choose a setting description from an article in the local section and an interesting group of characters from the front page along with an unbelievable plot line starter from the accent section. Once they have all of the required elements cut out or marked, they then construct a fictional story using the elements. The concoctions that the students create range from the humorous to the morbidly bizarre; however, the essence of the activity lies in the idea that they are interacting with real people and information in their local newspaper while weaving an interesting tale using those otherwise mundane elements.

This activity is effective because it combines a variety of different types of learning styles and engages students of all levels. From those students who carefully choose elements from the different sections of the newspaper and compose a tightly woven story of mystery and intrigue to those students who quickly choose the elements and practice their limited English ability to engage the characters in conversation, this activity serves all levels of students. Some students follow certain news stories over weeks and weave together something of a soap opera with the same characters and varying community and world events as the take place.

In addition, this activity ignites enthusiasm within the reluctant reader because, in many instances, students must read a given article in its entirety to get enough information about a "character" before deciding whether or not they would be interesting to explore in a writing assignment. Through instruction and practice, students begin to view the writing process as a sort of exploration. Whether they´re telling the story of van Gogh´s "Les Souliers" (1887) or defining their opinion on curfews for teenagers or telling the story of an individual featured in a newspaper article or photograph, they will begin to see that the writing process forces writers, novice to professional, to discover and evaluate the "story" that lies before them.

One of the most powerful modes of communication we have as human beings is the tradition of storytelling. The living history that exists does so because we allow and desire to hear stories of "yesteryear." The skill of storytelling is one that is essential to the maintenance of a history beyond the textbook. This activity asks students to explore their imagination and hone their skills as storytellers while they craft the tallest of tales.

Bright Ideas Contest Winner - 2004
Category: 6-8 Level

Sarah Evanson
8th Grade Language Arts
Galaxy Middle

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