Back-to-School Adventure: A Choose-Your-Own-Story Game
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a “choose your own adventure” story that uses descriptive language and dialogue to engage the reader in the mishaps of the first day back to school?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do authors use descriptive language to create a vivid setting?
- How can we use dialogue to reveal characters' feelings and motivations?
- What makes a story engaging for the reader?
- How do I write different story endings?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Write a branching narrative story with multiple endings
- Incorporate descriptive language to create a vivid setting.
- Use dialogue to reveal characters' feelings and motivations.
- Develop engaging storylines with relatable mishaps.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsBack-to-School Game Competition
The teacher announces that the school is holding a competition for the 'Most Realistic Back-to-School Simulation Game.' Students will work in teams to design a branching narrative game that captures the real experiences - both good and bad - of the first day.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Mishap Brainstorm
Students brainstorm and outline various mishaps that could occur on the first day back to school. This activity encourages creative thinking and planning of potential storylines for their branching narrative game.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed outline of at least five different mishaps, each with a brief description of the scenario and potential consequences.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3).Scene Builder: Setting, Characters, and Dialogue
Students will write descriptive paragraphs detailing the setting and characters involved in one of their chosen mishaps. They will also craft dialogue to reveal characters' feelings and motivations within that scenario.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-written scene that includes descriptive setting details, engaging character dialogue, and a clear illustration of the mishap.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the use of dialogue and descriptions to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3.b).Branching Paths Mapper
Students will create a flowchart or diagram to map out the different paths a reader can take in their branching narrative game. This activity emphasizes the importance of logical sequencing and engaging choices.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed flowchart illustrating the branching paths of the narrative, with clear decision points and consequences for each choice.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers organization (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3.a) and narrative techniques (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3.b) by structuring the branching narrative.Multiple Endings Creator
Students will write multiple endings for their branching narrative game, ensuring that each ending logically follows from the choices made by the reader. This activity reinforces the importance of coherence and closure in storytelling.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAt least three distinct endings for the game, each reflecting the different paths a reader might take.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on providing a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3.c).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBack-to-School Adventure Rubric
Mishap Brainstorming
Focuses on the brainstorming and outlining of mishaps for the branching narrative game.Mishap Ideation
Assesses the depth and breadth of mishap ideas generated, their relevance to the back-to-school theme, and the originality of the scenarios.
Exemplary
4 PointsGenerates numerous highly original and relevant mishaps, demonstrating a deep understanding of the back-to-school experience and creative problem-solving.
Proficient
3 PointsGenerates several relevant mishaps with some original elements, demonstrating a good understanding of the back-to-school experience.
Developing
2 PointsGenerates a few mishaps, but some may be generic or less relevant to the back-to-school theme. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the prompt.
Beginning
1 PointsGenerates very few mishaps, and they are largely irrelevant or lack originality. Shows limited understanding of the back-to-school theme.
Outline Clarity
Evaluates the clarity and completeness of the mishap outlines, including the description of the scenario and potential consequences.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides detailed, well-organized mishap outlines with clear descriptions of scenarios and a comprehensive range of potential consequences.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides clear mishap outlines with adequate descriptions of scenarios and potential consequences.
Developing
2 PointsProvides mishap outlines, but some descriptions may be vague or incomplete. Potential consequences may be limited.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal mishap outlines with unclear descriptions and few or no potential consequences identified.
Scene Builder
Focuses on the scene-building activity, assessing the use of setting descriptions and character dialogue.Setting Description
Assesses the richness and effectiveness of sensory details used to describe the setting.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a vivid and immersive setting using a wide range of descriptive sensory details that enhance the reader's experience.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a detailed setting using relevant sensory details that effectively support the scene.
Developing
2 PointsDescribes the setting using some sensory details, but the descriptions may be limited or not fully engaging.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal description of the setting with few or no sensory details.
Character Dialogue
Evaluates how well the dialogue reveals characters' feelings, motivations, and relationships, and how natural and engaging the dialogue is.
Exemplary
4 PointsCrafts dialogue that powerfully reveals characters' feelings, motivations, and relationships, making the scene highly engaging and believable.
Proficient
3 PointsWrites dialogue that effectively reveals characters' feelings and motivations, enhancing the scene's realism.
Developing
2 PointsIncludes dialogue that attempts to reveal characters' feelings, but may be somewhat stilted or unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsWrites minimal or ineffective dialogue that does not adequately reveal characters' feelings or motivations.
Branching Paths
Focuses on the creation of a branching narrative flowchart.Narrative Structure
Assesses the clarity and logical flow of the branching narrative paths, including the decision points and consequences.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly detailed and logical flowchart with clear decision points and compelling consequences that enhance the narrative's engagement.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops a clear flowchart with well-defined decision points and logical consequences.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a flowchart, but some decision points or consequences may be unclear or illogical.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a rudimentary flowchart with poorly defined decision points and unclear consequences.
Engagement & Creativity
Evaluates the variety and creativity of the branching paths and the overall engagement of the narrative structure.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops highly creative and varied branching paths that lead to engaging and unexpected outcomes, captivating the reader.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates varied branching paths that maintain the reader's interest and lead to logical outcomes.
Developing
2 PointsPresents some branching paths, but they may lack variety or lead to predictable outcomes.
Beginning
1 PointsOffers limited branching paths with little variety or reader engagement.
Multiple Endings
Focuses on the creation of multiple endings for the branching narrative game.Ending Resolution
Assesses how well each ending resolves the story and provides a sense of closure, aligning with the narrative's tone and events.
Exemplary
4 PointsCrafts multiple distinct endings that powerfully resolve the story, providing a strong sense of closure and perfectly aligning with the narrative's tone and events.
Proficient
3 PointsWrites distinct endings that effectively resolve the story and provide a sense of closure, consistent with the narrative's tone and events.
Developing
2 PointsProvides endings, but some may be inconsistent with the narrative's tone or offer a weak sense of closure.
Beginning
1 PointsWrites endings that are incomplete, inconsistent, or fail to provide a sense of closure.
Ending Coherence
Evaluates the distinctiveness and coherence of each ending, ensuring they logically follow from the reader's choices.
Exemplary
4 PointsEnsures each ending is highly distinctive, coherent, and logically follows from the reader's choices, providing a satisfying and unique conclusion.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates distinct and coherent endings that logically follow from the reader's choices.
Developing
2 PointsPresents endings that are somewhat distinct but may lack coherence or a clear connection to the reader's choices.
Beginning
1 PointsOffers endings that are indistinct, incoherent, or do not logically follow from the reader's choices.