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Grades 4–8
6 Sessions, 45 Minutes Each
Narrative
Resource type iconProjects

Who Ya Gonna Call: Writing Spooky Stories

1. What Makes a Ghost Story?
2. Examples of Ghost Stories
3. How to Become a Details Detective
4. Suspense and Plot Puzzles
5. Work Day
6. Finishing Touches
Calling all ghostbusters! In this project, students will write their own ghost stories, focusing on tone, classic horror tropes, and plot twists.
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SESSION 4 OF 6
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Suspense and Plot Puzzles

In this session, students will focus on one of the most important elements of a truly spooky story: suspense.
What Your Students Will Learn

Students will learn how to reconstruct the plot of “A Really Exciting Night” to evaluate the effects of suspense in scary stories.

Common core standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 4 here.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
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What Your Students Will Produce

Your students will produce a collaborative, reconstructed story.

What You Will Need

  • Plot Puzzle Pieces—Handout
    • Students will use this handout in a small group. We recommend creating small groups of 4-5 students.
    • Pages 1 and 2: 1 copy per group
    • Pages 3: 1 copy per student

Before You Start
  • For each group:
    • Cut out the plot puzzle pieces on pages 1 and 2 of the handout.
    • Place these pieces in a zip-top bag.
    • Stack enough copies of page 3 for each student in the group to have one.
    • Paper clip the bag to that stack. 
  • Locate the chart on page 3 of the handout and recreate it on the board. You should have 1 chart per group drawn. 
  • Make sure students’ definitions from the first session are visible.
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