Writing a Flashback and Flash-Forward Story Using Movies and Texts as Models

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

A copy of the movie The Sandlot

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Timeline

Students can generate descriptive timelines that can be plotted with their choice of units of measure (date, time, event, entry, or other).

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Guidelines for Flashback Flash-Forward Story
  
  
• Flashback Flash-Forward Story Checklist
  
  
• Suggested Book Lists
  
  
• Sample Paper #1
  
  
• Sample Paper #2

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PREPARATION

• Preview the movie and read the stories to find out what would work best in your classroom. [Note: The Sandlot contains a few examples of language that may be inappropriate for students.]
  
  
• Make one copy of the flashback/flash-forward handout for each student if you choose to show the movie after previewing it. If you choose not to, edit the handout to reflect the storyline of the books read in class, and then make copies. Make two copies of the flashback/flash-forward checklist for each student. One will be given to the student for peer review and another will be used by the teacher when evaluating the work.
  
  
• Sample student paper #1 and sample student paper #2 can be used as models for both writing and assessing the stories. You can copy these or put them on an overhead projector and, as a class, review them using the checklist. This process helps students understand how their papers will be graded as well as gives them examples of how others have approached the assignment.
  
  
• Review the article by Michele Whipple, "Let's Go to the Movies..." if you are using The Sandlot.
  
  
• Find examples and definitions of flashback and flash-forward, narrative, and characterization at the following Websites:
  
  
  • Three Tips for Writing Successful Flashbacks
    
    
  • Re-creating an Experience and Narrating an Event
    
    
  • The Writing Process: Characterization
    
    
• Reserve the computer lab if needed.

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