Stories to Tell

I love to write stories. So much so that I currently have 4 or 5 working young adult novels in the works. When teaching my students, I get excited to teach them the techniques that I use in my writing and Christensen and I use very similar craft moves. However, I find my students less than thrilled to write narratives. I struggle every time when I want to inspire and fall short.

Reading Christensen's models and prompts inspired me beyond what I ever thought a book could do. The prompts she used spoke to students in such a powerful way. My students overcome obstacles everyday because of class and race. I feel that I keep social justice alive in my classroom by sharing my stories. But I have never asked my students to share their stories. I truly think that Christensen has found gold with this approach to narrative writing. As I read, I thought about stories I could use in each of her stories. Most of them, my students know. Some of them, they do not.

Can't Buy Me Love: I was arrested 10 days before my 18th birthday. My students have heard the story. I was charged with larceny. Shoplifting had become a huge problem for me. Though it started with just stealing food to eat.....it quickly spread to the point, I was stealing clothes, CDs, movies and all the newest trends. For the first time in my life, I felt the playing field was level. Boy, the consequences to follow are a story to tell.

Social Justice: A little less than a year ago, I started working at the theater. I love movies and was so excited to find a job that let's me grade papers while I work. One day, a man sporting a WWII cap walked in and stopped short. He shouted from across the lobby, "Are you a Jap? I refused to be served by you." It was the first time in my life I had ever been called an oppressive word. Sure, I have dealt with stereotypes and prejudice before, but this felt different and I didn't know how to respond. I was alone. There was no one around and so I just responded the best I could despite the tears of anger that started coming to the surface. It is a moment I will never forget. My students have heard the tales as I fear they deal with similar if not worse prejudice and racism.

#LifeLessons: Christensen didn't mention how exactly these lessons needed to go, but race and class are brought up a lot in her book. But gender is only referenced a few times; mostly in her stories of domestic violence. However, women are oppressed by men often and people don't acknowledge it. Everyone experiments in college. They become more adventurous. I did. I was less concerned with my sexual behavior while still keeping my "number" in the back of my mind. That's when I learned, men can and will easily take advantage of your adventures. Within the same year, two attempts of sexual assault became my story. Luckily, I fought and escaped both but they have become two large scars I wear to this day. This is a story my students don't know. But it's a lesson I will never forget and because of Christensen, I am inspired to write about it.

On a Side Note that doesn't flow well: I use formulas. And now I'm questioning everything. I have an essay song. Please try and sing it as you read it. Its catchy.

(To the tune of We Will Rock You)
Get 'em with a hook. Make 'em wanna read. Thesis at the end; gonna make a clear claim I bet. I got two background facts. I'm right on track. Writing an intro to win to the max. We will, we will inform you. We will, we will persuade you.

Buddy, write your topic sentence, restating the claim. Gonna address a main idea. Got support from the text. What is next? Elaborate on facts to pass the test. We will, we will inform you. We will, we will persuade you.

Scholar, you're not done. One more step, conclusion at the end. Restate the thesis statement. Got skill your plate. We can't wait to see you in college to show 'em you're great. We will, we will inform you. We will, we will persuade you.

You're welcome. =)