Third grade teachers from the Meriden School System
piloted the Story Folder in their classrooms.
Here is the feedback I have received.
This year, we piloted Bruce Cabell's Simply Written Story Folder with our grade 3 teachers and students in
Meriden's Elementary Schools. After incorporating the Story Folder into their classroom instruction, the teacher response
at the end of the school year was quite positive. They reported that the Story Folder helped them organize their instruction,
but more important, helped students plan and organize their writing. The students were enthusiastic about the folders and
said using them made writing exciting. In addition, children stated they became better writers. The teachers concurred with
the student evaluations. Next year, the district hopes to expand the use of the Story Folder into grade 2 and grade 4.
Maureen E. Kelleher, Ph.D.
Supervisor of Language Arts
Meriden Public Schools
Meriden, CT.
1) Was the Story Folder student friendly?
Yes, it was user friendly. It was also helpful because the children had many "ideas" right in front of them.
2) What were your students’ reactions when using this writing tool?
They were motivated by it because it was "something new and different."
3) Did the Story Folder support your writing program?
Supported and enhanced!
4) Based on the number of times you used the folder this year, did you see your students’ writing skills increase?
I only used it once and truthfully am still in the process of using it. We got a late start and had many things that we had to do so we couldn't use it every day.
5) Would you recommend that we adopt the Story Folder district wide in your grade? Why or why not.
For me…I really like the idea of the story folder. I'd love to have Bruce do a "mini workshop" so I can really see how he uses it. I don't think it should replace what we have but possibly use it in the beginning of the year to teach the structure of a story and show them ideas that they can incorporate into their writing.
Submitted by Claudine Scheer
1) Was the Story Folder student friendly?
• The amount of information on the folder is initially overwhelming, but once students are "walked" through the process it becomes easier for them to navigate the various pages.
• It was easier for me to just copy the brainstorming sheets each time they wrote to a prompt and have them refer back to the other pages on the original story folder.
2) What were your students’ reactions when using this writing tool?
• Students thought it was "awesome"
• I think it really guides them through the process initially and gets them thinking about the steps they need to take before they even start writing.
• Breaking down the process into a beginning that introduces the problem, a middle that makes attempts at solving the problem, and an ending that brings the problem to some sort of resolution really helped my bilingual students stick to a format.
3) Did the Story Folder support your writing program?
• The story folder supported the prompt writing process very well.
• Some of the vocabulary in the story folder initiated great discussions on word meanings.
4) Based on the number of times you used the folder this year, did you see your students’ writing skills increase?
• I only used the story folder to model writing to two prompts. I think it helped students to better understand the process of prompt writing. I also think it helped them to understand that their story needs to stay focused on one problem and that problem should be resolved by the end of the story.
5) Would you recommend that we adopt the Story Folder district wide in your grade?
Why or why not.
• I think it should be made available district wide because it's a great resource to use and it truly breaks down the steps for students (and teachers).
• I don't think it should be required because some teachers might have their own system in place that works just as well.
Submitted by Angela Fragoso