Dear Colleague,
As promised, here is a second lesson in the teaching of fiction -- this one on the pattern of three. Once you've taught your students to look for this pattern, they will identify it in much of the literature you read together. They will not only write stories with true structure and forward motion, they will increase their reading comprehension as well!
Happy Writing!
Jennifer
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Pattern of Three
On Hand: Moon Sandwich Mom by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (1999) or any other picture book that follows the pattern of three (see Writing Tip).
Mini-Lesson: Your students have come to recognize that a story often begins with a character who wants something. Does this mean the character gets what he or she wants right off the bat? No way! (Not unless the character, like King Midas, is meant to learn to be careful of what one wishes.) No, typically the character:
- Tries to get what he wants and fails. (That's right: failure is an important part of story.)
- Again tries to get what he wants. And you know what? Again he fails.
- Musters all his resolve and often succeeds on the third try (or after the third failure) to get what he wants-or he changes his mind. Either of these endings can work.
Ask students to look for this pattern as you read the story aloud.
Extension: Ask students to think of all the stories that have three in the title (The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Wishes) and help them to see that they also follow a three-act structure.
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Study Guide
A free, downloadable study guide to No More "I'm Done!" is available at the Stenhouse website -- recommended for literacy coaches, PLC groups, administrators, and teachers who wish to reflect upon and deepen their understanding of writing engagement and independence. |
