Page 112 - SpringBoard_ELA_Grade6_Flipbook

Sparking Ideas
aCTIvITy 1.17
Learning Targets
• Analyze picture books for images that spark writing ideas.
• Write a short story with characters, conflict, plot, dialogue, and sensory details.
1. When you hear the word mystery, what do you think of? What do you think makes a good mystery?
2. Chris Van Allsburg has written several books that are mysteries. Among some of his best-known books are the following:
my Notes
• The Polar Express
• The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
• The Wreck of the Zephyr
• Jumanji
• The Stranger
• The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
Find copies of these or other picture books and write questions about particular pictures that intrigue you. Using one or more of the images as your inspiration, write freely to draft a story.
3. Select one of your freewrites to develop further. Before you continue to draft, plan your story. Think about your main character, such as a name, age, favorite hobby, behaviors and actions, accomplishments. Use a graphic organizer like the one below to plan your characters.
Characterization
Describe your main character’s appearance.
What does this appearance say about your character?
Describe some of your main character’s actions.
What do these actions say about your character?
Other characters
Details about these characters
Unit 1 • Stories of Change 85
LearNING STraTeGIeS:
Predicting, Previewing, Visual Prompt, Graphic Organizer, Brainstorming, Mapping, Prewriting, Drafting
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