SPOKEN 6.1
Choose the Solution

Grades 1-3

So far, your story is made up of these parts:

Summary Statement

Old Section

New Section

Why Section

Task 6.1.1 – Tandem

Match up each of the four parts of the story with its part. Use an answer only once.

    1. Tells about meeting the troublemaker
    2. Tells the hero’s background
    3. Tells the problem the troublemaker causes
    4. Tells what is going to happen in the entire story

The Ending

The problem is solved in the ending. However, there are“rules” to how you can do that. 

The hero must solve the story themselves.

The solution cannot be obvious.

The story cannot be a dream.

The hero cannot have powers or abilities they did not have before.

The hero must solve the problem.

The reader is interested in the hero. It therefore must be the hero who solves the problem the troublemaker caused. Luck, God, someone’s parents, a friend, or the troublemaker cannot do it.

The solution cannot be obvious.

The main character cannot punch the troublemaker or ask the troublemaker to stop causing the problem or do anything else that a reader might think of as a solution.  Stories are about problem-solving, and it’s up to the writer to come up with a solution that is interesting. 

The story cannot be a dream.

“It was all just a dream” is the worst way to end a story. It’s like the writer has pulled a joke on the readers.  It shows that the writer isn’t creative enough to come up with a good solution.

The hero cannot have powers or abilities they did not have before.

The reader shouldn’t get to the end of a story and then find that, say, the main character is really a superhero, or that the main character is suddenly physically strong after we were told that they were weak.

Brainstorm – Grade – Rank

To find a good solution, follow the three steps you have learned.

    1. Brainstorm lots of ideas. Don’t argue!
    2. Grade the ideas.
    3. Rank the A ideas.

Brainstorm

Come up with as many ideas as possible in 3-5 minutes.

Grade

As you grade the ideas, keep the four ideas of what not to do.

A =  B plus a “wow!” from readers.

B = Readers probably would not think of this right away.

C = Readers probably would think of this right away OR the solution does not fit the problem.

Rank

After you have at least 2-3 ideas, put them in order. Consider using a Decision Table. Possible evaluations might be—

  • Which solution do you like best?
  • Which solution will most likely impress listeners?
  • Which solution is the most humane?
Possible Endings I like Best Most Likely Impress Most humane Total
Poss. Sol. 1
Poss. Sol. 2
Poss. Sol. 3

Adding a Plant

Sometimes you will need to add information earlier in the story so the ending is stronger. The information is called a plant.

Let’s say that earlier in the story you find out that your dog speaks 16 languages. Is there a way the family can use the dog’s skill at the ending of this story?

The hero the dog would make for a good telemarketer because he can talk to people who speak other languages.

Task 6.1.2 – Tandem

Return to Lesson 0.3. There is a plant in each of the stories. What are they?

Task 6.1.3 – Class

See if your story needs a plant. If so, decide where to put it.

APPLICATION

Grade 1: Your teacher will take some notes for the ending and give to each member of the class.  With a paperclip, put it at the end of your story. 

Grade 2: Your teacher will either give you the notes or put the information on the board or screen so you can write or type it onto another page for your story.

Grade 3: Your teacher will help put the information onto another page for your story.