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Chain Story Activity: 

Chain Story Activity A CALL Reading & Writing Project By Jan Boulingui and Hyun Lee

Activity Aims : 

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

Activity Process: 

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

Story Process: 

Story Process Story Beginning – Ss write a short paragraph about an imaginary student’s first day in the United States. (10min) Story Middle – Ss change computer stations, read a peer’s 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)

Example Story – P1: 

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.

Paragraph 2: 

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.

Paragraph 3: 

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.

ACTIVITY: 

ACTIVITY Now it’s your turn! In pairs, you will write a short story on the following topic… HALLOWEEN!!

Activity Alternatives: 

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???