In this activity, students will be challenged to write a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end using three unrelated objects as a starting point.
Students will be given a prompt about finding a box with three mystery items–a pig, a basketball, and a firetruck–as a jumping off point.
Teachers can use the given items with their students or choose their own. Other examples could include:
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It’s class time and you can feel yourself about to doze off in need of a post-lunch nap. It’s not that your teacher is boring—it’s that the sun is shining bright and warm through the window and all that cafeteria spaghetti you ate at lunch is making you sleepy. You grab your water bottle and take a sip of water to stay awake—but just one sip…and it’s empty.
You stand and take the hall pass to go fill your water bottle—walking will help with the sleepiness too. You quietly close the creaky classroom door behind you and meander down the hall when you trip over something big and bulky.
Since when was that here? A cardboard box sits on the floor, partly open. You have to know what’s inside.
You pull out the items… A pig? A basketball? A firetruck?
What do these random items have to do with each other? You start dreaming up a story in your head…
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard with a clear beginning, middle, and end using the three objects from the box within your story.
Instructions:
Be sure to use complete sentences, proper spelling and punctuation, and check your work!
Need help getting started? Watch our instructional video!
Start your lesson by revealing the three mystery objects one at a time. Encourage students to make predictions and share what they know about each item. This sparks curiosity and activates prior knowledge before they begin writing.
Show students how to brainstorm creative ways the objects could relate in a story. Use a graphic organizer or a whiteboard to jot down ideas as a class. This helps students overcome writer’s block and get their imaginations flowing.
Ask students to create a quick outline with a beginning, middle, and end before writing. Outlining ensures their stories stay organized and include all three objects in a logical way.
Have students share their story ideas in pairs or small groups. Invite them to give each other one compliment and one suggestion. This builds confidence and helps refine their stories.
After students finish, display their illustrated stories around the room. Organize a gallery walk where everyone can read their classmates’ work. This celebrates creativity and promotes a sense of accomplishment.
'What's in the Box?' is a creative writing activity where students build a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end using three unrelated mystery objects. The objects serve as prompts to spark imagination and guide students in crafting original narratives.
To use random objects for a writing lesson, select three unrelated items (like a pig, basketball, and firetruck) and challenge students to incorporate them into a story. This method boosts creativity and helps learners structure narratives with a clear start, middle, and conclusion.
Examples of object prompts include combinations like a coffee mug, sunflower, and leather journal or a scarf, stamp, and cactus. Choose any three unrelated items to encourage students to think outside the box and create unique stories.
Writing stories with unrelated items encourages critical thinking, imagination, and problem-solving. It pushes students to make creative connections and develop narrative skills while having fun.
Teachers should introduce the three mystery objects, instruct students to create a storyboard with a beginning, middle, and end, and encourage illustrations. Students should write in complete sentences, review their work, and have fun with the assignment!