by Helen Sadler
Here is a fun, collaborative, and easy activity to build community in the classroom. I tend to use this when I have some time to fill before a holiday or during testing times when the schedules get messed up.
The scribble story begins by creating groups of about 4-5 people. Each person in the group has one plain piece of copy paper, as well as a marker. Each group member's marker color should be different.
First, the group decides how they will send the paper around the circle they've created.
Next, each group member draws one line/squiggle/shape on the paper. ONE.
They pass on to the next person, who adds on. As the papers go around, a unique image should begin to appear on each paper, based on the contributions of each member.
As the images start to emerge, the group then begins to figure out what kind of story they can tell from the images, as well as deciding what else they may need to add to each drawing to make it more complete.
As writers get to this point, I bring them a large piece of chart paper and glue. They glue down the pictures in the order they go, and write their story in marker in large lettering next to it. I tell them to be sure to attend to the basics of story -- some kind of conflict is being resolved. I also encourage dialogue so the characters have some life to them. These are very short stories, so a little can go a long way.
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| I didn't have large enough chart paper, so they worked on two and taped together |
The Scribble Story has been a good standby for me for many years, but I know it has greater possibilities than I have allowed. There are two ways I see using this more effectively in the future: first -- do it at the beginning of school to build community quickly. Second -- do it again later in the year after we've studied things like character, plot, setting, and require them to be more deliberate in adding these elements.
Either way, this is always a winner, and makes a good wall display.
Happy writing!
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