EETT & Making Movies

I am reading a book. My establishing shot
The phone rings I answered and said, “Hello Detectives Agency ok I’ll be right over.”
I interviewed the man he told me someone had stolen his lunchbox”.
Later that day I was playing chess with my best friend John.
The next day I was walking to work and I saw the man with the lunchbox and said,”FREEZE! He started running and I said, STOP!”
And then he finally triped after five minutes and I took him to jail while I returned the lunchbox to the owner.

Script/Storyboard originally submitted Jan 9, 2010.

“Hi Jazmine.”I said.
“Hi Diana”.said Jazmine.
“What are you doing?”I asked.
“I’m practicing my drawing.”replied Jazmine.
“Really can I see what your drawing?” I asked.
(Jazmine shows me the picture)
“Wow,that is so pretty but I could do better. I draw caricatures.” I bragged.
“Oh,is that so.” said Jazmine.
“Yep.”I replied.
“Well then let’s see how “good” you are at drawing.” said Jazmine.
“Fine, this is sooo a contest.”I said.
“Oh it’s on!”announced Jazmine.
“Ok.” I said.
(Drawing our pictures and close-ups)
“Ha,I bet you can’t draw better than this.” (Jazmine shows the picture)
“Oh really can’t this beat it.”(I show Jazmine my picture)
“Oh man I lost.” mumbled Jazmine.
“What?” I asked.
“I planned this whole thing and I even had my brother draw this.” admitted Jazmine.
“Oh,so you cheated.” I shouted.
“Yeah, but any way you won. Here’s the trophy.”admitted Jazmine.
“Thanks, you did a good job.”I replied.

The students give introductory paragraphs a try after our whole class effort.

We might discuss who will storyboard our movie, who will direct and assist. Exciting!

…paid off.

We took a look at sample paragraphs written by 5th graders. We examined one sample that had received a 4 in Ideas/Content, a 4 in Organization, and a 4 in Conventions. As a class, we found examples of how the writer used sensory writing and transitions.

Then we set off to write one together. We came up with a few ideas using a graphic organizer and from notes about how to “hook” readers into your story. This is what we came up with:

Darkness.
It was as if he sneaked behind me and covered my eyes. My heart began to race because I could no longer see. The power went out in our classroom during this gigantic storm!

“Zzzzpppt!” A circuit shorted out and we heard a few yells of panic. Calmly, our teacher turned on his flashlight and opened the blinds to allow light to come in. It was as if we were traveling through an endless tunnel of night and at last we found our exit.

Suddenly, flashes of light came down from the heavens. Explosions of dynamite went off outside our classroom. The thunder was so deafening. My mind became confused and I started to see double. I saw myself struck by a bolt of lightning as if Zeus himself threw it down. My entire life flashed before my eyes.

“Who wants to play ‘Heads-Up, Seven Up?”
“Meeeeeee” replied the class sounding like a bunch of chipmunks! The lights came back on, we smiled at one another, and relief filled our hearts…

The highlight of this exercise was when one student asked,

“Can we make this into a movie?”

The whole class was in agreement and completely excited. Totally worth the effort…

Script originally submitted 12/19/09

“Hey chicken come here !’ said Rachel.
” Who you calling a chicken !” said Avina.
“I’m calling you a chicken!” said Rachel.
“Are you trying to say you want to battle me !” said Avina.
“Yes I’m trying to say that” said Rachel.
“Okay lets battle then!” said Avina.
“Then bring it on !” said Rachel.
“I’ll bring get on!”said Avina.
“You can never beet me at all!” said Rachel.
“I could beet you !” said Avina.
“No you can’t !” said Rachel.
“Yes I could!” said Avina.
“Lets see who the chicken!” said Avina.
“Okay I would!” said Rachel.
“The tetterball bang on the pole!” said Avina.
“AHHHHH I could never lose to a chicken!” said Rachel.
“I won now you the chicken!” said Avina.

Storyboard submitted 1/9/10

“Hey Sarina,” said Gabby.
“What?” replied Sarina.
“Do you want to race me?” asked Gabby.
“Sure, but I warn you if you race me I’ll win,” bragged Sarina.
“That’s it, your on!” yelled Gabby.
“Hey Diana, Do you want to be the person to say go?” asked Gabby.
“Sure,” replied Gabby.
“On your mark, get set, go!” Diana yelled.
“Yes I won!” Gabby bragged.
“I knew you would win,” said Sarina
“You did?” asked Gabby.
“I did,” said Sarina.

Storyboard originally submitted 01/09/10