You will be reading several pourquoi tales (how and why stories), completing an activity and then writing your own.  You will start by reading several different porquoi tales using the links below.  You will need to read each link and then fill out the graphic organizer.

How Kangaroo Got His Tail

How the Bear Lost His Tail

Coyote Brings Fire

Crow Brings Daylight

How Bluebird and Coyote Got Their Colors

After you are finished with the graphic organizer, we will discuss it as a class.  You will then pre-write/organize your tale using the following steps:

     1.  Think about a natural phenomenon around you.  You may want to choose an animal.  What have you wondered about?  What do you think ancient people would try to explain?  Examples:  Why is the grass green?  Why do zebras have stripes?  Why do turtles have shells?

     2.  Try to think of what event may have caused this to happen.  Complete a story map of the events that occurred.  Use your imagination.  Your story doesn't have to be "true".  In fact, it won't be.  Your story should have a hidden message; a lesson the reader will learn.

Use the story map to write the rough draft of your story.  You will start the story with "Long ago..." and end with "and that is why...".  You will then finish the writing process.  Stories will be posted on the wiki and/or blog, so make it your best writing!