Summer Story

1. Fold a piece of paper in half. On one half, write "What I did this summer". On the other half, write "What I wish I had done this summer".
2. Spend 5 to 10 minutes drawing a sketch on the first half of the paper that shows the most interesting thing that you did this summer.
3. Spend 5 to 10 minutes drawing a sketch on the second half of the paper that shows something you wish you could have done this summer (this does not have to be realistic, use your imagination!).
4. Write a one-sentence caption for each picture telling about what the picture shows.
5. Choose one of the topics that would be the most interesting to write about, and that you can give plenty of details about. For example, if you did something really exciting this summer, I would suggest that you write about that since you will know all of the details. If your summer was "blah", create something for the second topic that is imaginative, with lots of details.
6. Using your chosen topic, make an idea web.
   
   • On a blank piece of paper (or the back of your sketches paper) draw a circle in the center of the page. Write your topic in the center of the circle (for example: new house).
   • From the center circle, draw five lines radiating out. Draw a circle at the end of each line.
   • In each of the radiating circles, write a main idea that tells more about your topic. (For example: in bad shape, painted the inside, replaced the door, back yard pond, great neighbors)
   • If you want, add more circles radiating from each of the main idea circles. In these circles, write specific details. (For example, from "in bad shape" I might write: broken windows, nasty cobwebs on the ceiling, two days to clean the stove, phone numbers written on the walls.)
7. Using the information from your web, write a rough draft of your summer story. Each main idea bubble should become a paragraph in your rough draft. I suggest that if you are hand-writing the draft, skip lines and use a pencil.
8. Revise your rough draft by considering the six traits of writing. Use the Writing Revision Guide.
9. Edit your rough draft for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
10. Write or type a final copy. Use cursive if writing it by hand.
11. Use the Six Trait Writing Rubric to self-score your work. (This will not necessarily be your actual score!)
12. Save this piece to compare to your writing later in the year and see how you are improving!

Sacred Heart School * Sacred Heart Parish * Archdiocese Schools