Writing a Message
Writers like Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, don’t know where their characters are going or what they are going to do when they begin writing. They simply let the characters take over. Very few children are able to accomplish this though many try. Usually these stories end up rambling and without a purpose.
One idea to help children with this problem is to try having them come up with a message they want to convey to their readers. This could be anything from be kind to animals, take care of the earth, or respect your friends. You could have your students write a nonfiction piece which simply tells the readers what they need to do to be kind, respectful, or caring. However, to bump up their thinking and writing skills have them write a fiction story which conveys this same message.
Last Stop On Market Street, this year’s Newberry Award winner, written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson would be a great mentor text for this assignment. This picture book tells the story of a little boy, CJ, who rides the bus with his grandmother, Nana, and doesn’t understand why he has to go without material possessions when others do not. His grandmother teaches him to look for the lasting beauty and gifts around him. The message is subtle, and the story is quiet, but its message is strong.
If you want to teach your students how to write a fiction piece with a message, read Last Stop On Market Street several times. It’s important to make sure your kids understand the message De La Pena is trying convey. You may have to scaffold with questions to help them pick up on it. Then as a class have your students list CJ’s wishes and the ways Nana responds. Next as a group have your students list lots of messages that are of interest to them. You’ll want to pick one of the topics to model the process.
After you pick a topic, brainstorm aloud walking through your story. You may want to write your ideas or quickly sketch them. One example could be that your character, Shavon, wants to go to the beach and play in the ocean. When she gets there, trash is everywhere on the sand. She and her mom walk further down the beach to try to find a clean spot, and that stretch is closed due to illegal waste disposal. Shavon feels that other people need to clean up the beach, so it’s fun for everyone. Her mom tells her it’s everybody’s job, and they discuss what part they could play in the cleanup.
These ideas would be written in abbreviated form for your students. You don’t want them to spend too long on their plans. Quick sketching is sometimes better. After you have your students brainstorm their ideas, you need to write your story based on your ideas. You can write the entire story or a little at a time and have your students do the same. They’ll be proud of their final products and love the fact they are able to write about something they believe in.
Stories with messages can be hard to write without sounding preachy or being too complex. Using Last Stop On Market Street is a great way to show your students how to educate readers about an issue important to them. Of course, the book is just a great read, too!
De La Pena’s message:
“You can feel like you have been slighted if you are growing up without, if you have less money, or you can see the beauty in that. And I feel like the most important thing that’s ever happened to me is growing up without money. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of.”