Modeling the habits of good authors, Second Graders used graphic organizers to help guide their thinking about character, setting and narrative sequence before diving into writing "Backwards Beasts" stories about imaginary creatures and the invented places they inhabit. Good authors also know that "When you're done, you've only just begun" and so, with first drafts in hand, students conferenced in peer groups and one-on-one with Teacher Betty to revise ideas, reconsider word choice, and edit for clarity, detail, flow and mechanics. Following are a few snippets from their contributions to the 2nd Grade Backwards Beast Anthology:
Trahpele
Trahpele looks like a rock with spiky legs and toes. He has purple moss spots on him. He has ten eyes so that he doesn't crush any nature when he rolls around. He lives in the darkest cave in the Bazook Forest on Mars.
You have to watch out for the Trahpele! He destroys everything in his path when he rolls around. He is as big and heavy as a school bus! Don't make him mad... or he will jump 500 feet high and drop on top of you.
Xof
My Xof has two tails, two eyes, eight whiskers, two arms, two hands, two legs, two feet and one nose. The Xof is really, really fast. He has short orange fur and also three pieces of orange hair. He's really smart!
My Xof can fly using its two tails. He flies to Hughog's house. They race to the fence and back; my Xof usually wins. He really likes to have fun with Hughog. They both live on Mars and they also jump and visit other planets. Sometimes they jump onto rockets for a free ride.
Nihplod
My Nihplod has two fins, one eye and two arms. She has three legs and two feet. Her two whiskers are pink. She wears an earring on her ear and she dances on Wednesdays.
She is a girl who likes to swim and draw lots and lots of dolphins. Her favorite animals are dolphins, seahorses and turtles. She loves ice cream; her favorite flavor is Birthday Cake. She has a dog named Princess Sparkles. She lives in Hawaii with her mom and dad. She loves to watch fireworks. She likes to sing and she loves people and the world.