STORY LEAVES: Writing Conclusions

by Alison Ashley Formento

Leaves swoop around us this time of year and a swirling rainbow of autumn colors fill the air. Leaves leave the trees, fluttering to the ground to end their seasonal journey. Much thought is given to hooking the reader with story beginnings, but endings are a key component in story and essay structure. How best do you leave a story or end an article you’re writing?

Writing the ending of any story or essay is often the most difficult task for a writer. You may want to leave your readers with a solid, firm opinion, or an open-ending, that can be interpreted in many ways, and perhaps, lead to another book in a series or inspire a new article or essay.

Leave the page

1.Read the last line of a favorite picture book or chapter book aloud in class.

Ask students to write two new endings for this story.

First, they should write a firm ending such as:

“and it was still hot.” Where the Wild Things Are

And one ending that might lead to something new:

“Uh-oh,” I thought. “it’s not just the lunch box.” Third Grade Angels, Jerry Spinelli

2. Ask students to read Kids Discovery, National Geographic Magazine, or use the daily paper from your town. Choose an article or Op-Ed piece to rewrite the final paragraph still using the facts made clear in the article.

Try to “leave” the reader with a whole new question, which to inspire a new discussion.

Example: “Scientists understand key reasons why dinosaurs became extinct, but if there hadn’t been an ice age, do you think we’d still have these massive creatures on Earth? Perhaps as house pets?”

Now write a new article ending leaving the reader with clear knowledge of the represented facts. Example: “Scientific testing on discovered dinosaurs bones are solid proof they could not survive due to severe weather conditions.”

The best authors and journalists play with story and article endings to make sure readers feel like they’ve had a memorable reading experience. Writing a great ending is as satisfying as jumping into a giant pile of autumn leaves. Enjoy!

www.alisonashleyformento.com

YOUR OWN WEATHER MACHINE: FUN WITH PERSUASIVE WRITING

by Jacqueline Jules

Wishing you were in Hawaii, but can’t pay for those plane tickets? Just bring that wonderful weather to your local area with just a click of a button. That heavy rainfall will transport to Hawaii, or wherever you want, and that wonderful weather will transport to you! Get the Weather Mover Máquinas today! –Laila

Looking for a lesson that combines science, persuasive writing, and fun? Then look no further than the Weather Machine Lesson developed by fourth grade teacher extraordinaire, Jessica Barber.

I had the pleasure of visiting Jessica’s classroom and seeing the pride and excitement over the fantastic Weather Machines her students had created.

Is it too bright outside? Are the clouds that are blocking the sun annoying you? Well then if this is the case the cloud controllinator 8,674 will come in handy. The cloud controllinator 8,674 (CC 8,674) can make or remove clouds in the sky. You have the option of storm clouds, rain clouds or no storm clouds.—Avery

Jessica begins her lesson with a readaloud from an out-of-print book called Everyone Always Complains About the Weather by Truman Vega. However, your own favorite picture book about inventions should do just fine. The idea is to get your students thinking about inventions, particularly fanciful ones.

Next, Jessica tells her students they will be creating their own weather machine. She lets them begin formulating ideas by drawing a picture. Here is an example from a student named Catherine who created the Weather Wisher 2000.

Starting with the fact that this machine only costs $20.00, and if you act now you can get 50% off! Also every customer gets free shipping and handling. It also is solar powered, so it doesn’t make your electric bill go off the chart. But it will still work perfectly when it's raining because it stores half its energy, when it’s charging. — Catherine

The following day, Jessica gives her students a goal. You must describe your machine in a way that will make others want to buy it. The class discusses commercials. She shows a few examples. The commercials for products only available on TV may stimulate the most entertaining pieces.

For a payment of only 75 dollars plus 12 dollars for shipping and handling and an extra 20 dollars, cause we say so. If you chip in a donation of any amount we’ll throw in a free Spongebob limited edition movie! What a snag! –Abi

To develop ideas, Jessica gives her students a graphic organizer to list positive features of their weather invention and ways to refute any possible arguments against its purchase.

You may be wondering, will it run out of fuel eventually? Well your answer is no, the Storm Master 7006 does not even take fuel! It is eco friendly and is charged with electricity. With the plug we provide for you, just plop it into an electrical socket and the power will be up in under 24 hours! It also holds its energy for a week! But if the Storm Master 7006 is low in power while in the air, don't worry! It gains electricity from lightning strikes by redirecting the strikes to its beacon up top, re-powering it completely from a single strike! – Niko

The graphic organizer includes boxes for students to put an introductory paragraph with an interesting lead, the body of the story, and a concluding statement. Jessica spends at least a day on practicing and sharing introductions and day on strong conclusions. Students practice multiple versions of introductions and conclusions, using the class feedback to help to pick their favorite one. 

With the Storm Master 7006, the gloominess of the rain will vanish! Guaranteed a rainbow after every storm!!!!—Niko

Try this lesson today! You won’t be sorry!

www.jacquelinejules.com