SO, WHAT’S THE STORY?

By James Fredricksen, Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, and Michael Smith. "Write narratives," states the Common Core, "to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences." The authors share lessons and unit frameworks on narrative writing that help students not only meet the standards, but do important real-world work. "Narrative is about much more than the form of a story, identifying a protagonist, or naming its climax," they write, "it’s about doing functional work not only in the classroom and school, but in the community and the world." With ideas for teaching autobiography, narrative nonfiction, imaginary narratives, and narratives that employ both words and images, So, What’s the Story? provides practitioners with ways to help students make the leap from composing stories to understanding how stories and narrative concepts can help them to identify, critique, and change how their world works. "Narrative writing empowers individuals as they negotiate the day-to-day experience of their lives," write the authors, "but an understanding of narrative is essential for people in a whole host of careers and professions." Grades 6–12. Index. Bibliography. Appendixes. Heinemann. 195 pages. ©2012.commoncore