The Big, Gray Shark - A retelling of the traditional "Little Red Hen"

At our school we use the Excellence in Writing Curriculum. I just love this program. So before winter break my students learned how to write a story using what we call a "Story Sequence." To teach them how to write a story we first tell them a traditional story and then guide them into retelling it into their own words. One of my students rewrote it this way and I wanted to share. I was giggling through the whole thing...Enjoy!

Big, Gray Shark

In the fall of 1935 Big Gray Shark was looking for food for his hungry pups. They lived on an extremely, colorful coral reef. For several years, his only friends were Hammer Head and Great White. Big Gray Shark decided to go on a hunting spree. 


He wanted to catch a small group of seal to feed his hungry pups. Quickly he rushed to his friend, Hammer Head for some hunting tips. But Hammer Head said in a wicked tone, "Are you talking to me?" He was no help. Next he asked Great White for tips as well, but he wouldn't help either. So Big Gray White decided to hunt on his own. After locating the seals' hangout, he caught three fatty seals. Now he could start setting up the feast.

Finally he finished and the smell of carcass went through the reef. "How are we going to eat all this?" Big Gray Shark thought. Suddenly Hammer Head and Great White appeared ready to eat. But Big Gray Shark told them, "If you helped me, you would have got some." Laziness never pays.

A New Year

So today was the first day of the new year. I was so tired and my Christmas Break wore me out with my son home and all the family fun and adventures we had. I so did not want to come to school today. I wished the holidays would never end. But as I put my son on a plane last night, I realized the holidays would not be as joyous without the work of the rest of the year. All play and no work would make the play time not so joyous.

As the alarm went off today at 5:30, I groaned and moaned.  But as my students began to arrive I realized how much I missed them and how much I love being a teacher. They greeted me with happy smiles and tales of their Christmas presents and the adventures of the past two weeks. I am a blessed teacher, thanks to 26 happy souls who wondered into my classroom this morning.

I am ready to start this new year off with a happy attitude and will no longer groan at the alarm going off at 5:30.  Life is good.