At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, I asked my third grade class of 22 students if they enjoyed the process of
writing. To my surprise, almost 50% of my class didn't like to write. In that group of ten, there were six boys and four
girls. I asked them to explain. They expressed that writing was boring, it was difficult to come up with ideas and organize
them, their story writing was timed, they didn't have an imagination, and they didn't like the prompts that were given to
them. At this point, I was extremely worried. I told my students I was going to do my best to help them with their writing
concerns.
About a week later, I introduced the Story Folders. I informed my students it was a writing tool to help them write
stories. I gave my class fifteen minutes to read and manipulate the folders. They thought it was a "Cool Tool." I never
observed so much excitement.
At the end of the school year, I asked my class if there was anyone who continued to dislike writing. Two of my
students raised their hands. The two boys shared that they lacked imagination.
Below are a few testimonials from students who wrote about the story folders. I changed their names with respect to
student confidentiality. I tried to give you a range of their thoughts and writing abilities. I hope you enjoy them.
Bruce Cabell
Just Simply Write
At the beginning of the year, I did not like writing because it was boring and difficult to organize what I wanted in a
story. Also, it was hard because I couldn't elaborate with specific details. I had trouble using my imagination. I never
liked writing until I used the story folders. The folders helped me with organization, making my stories more exciting, and
elaborating with specific details. The story folders helped me include adjectives, adverbs, verbs, sensory words, and
similes to make my stories interesting. In the folders, there were places to list your story lead, characters and traits,
setting (time and place), character's problem and feeling, event 1, event 2, event 3, and the solution to the problem. The
story folders made writing a lot easier. The folders are easy and fun to use. My stories have improved a lot. Now I like
writing. I think it is fun and interesting!
Jane Ramirez
Third Grade
I thought writing wasn't fun because it was hard to brainstorm and think of ideas. Another reason why it was boring was
because there were other fun things to do besides writing. I felt enthusiastic when I used the story folders for the first
time. It helped me with story ideas. The folders improved my writing because it helped me include exciting words. I feel
intelligent now because the story folders helped me become a great writer.
Larry Solin
Third Grade
At the beginning of the 3rd grade school year, I didn't appreciate writing because I thought it wasn't exciting at all. I
felt that writing was a waste of time because I didn't know how to organize my story or what to include in it. To me,
writing meant nothing but work and I didn't enjoy it as much as others did. But then, I tried these fantastic story folders.
I started to get interested in writing. When I wrote in the folders, I thought it was a piece of cake. Now when I write, I
think of it as an easy subject. I feel that writing is exciting because when I'm using the story folders, I'm able to
organize my story and add specific details.
Britney Wirth
Third Grade
I didn't like writing in the beginning of the year because I didn't know how to set up my story. Writing was not interesting
to me. The story folders helped me include specific details and humor to make my readers laugh. The folders also helped me
include verbs, adverbs, and sensory words. Now writing is fun for me because I know what to put in my story to make it more
interesting. My reader can read on and think it's a wonderful story. I'll be a great author when I grow up.
Jack Ragaglia
Third Grade