There I was yesterday, cruising around and commenting on some great blogs during the Slice of Life Challenge, when I came across GirlGriot’s musings about the noises she was hearing from under a grate by her apartment building. I thought…now THIS is a great story prompt, and I told her so. Before I knew it, she challenged me to write, and before I knew it, I accepted.
‘Round about this afternoon, I was fretting over my 5th grade language arts class. I had my standard lesson planned, but I could tell from their energy this morning that I was NOT going to have them engaged with Business As Usual.
I read the original post to my students and issued a challenge: can WE write those monster stories? And, just to make the challenge even more fun, can we do it with 100-word stories? Lo and behold, we all jumped into the opportunity fully and excitedly. My work is shared below. And…hop over to GirlGriot. She’s got some good stuff going on!
Stacie prayed it was over when the construction crews came. She hoped the monster, with its phlegmy grumbles, was silenced. GONE.
Until she ran the disposal.
Up reached a gelatinous hand, followed by an arm, head, torso, into full corpulent, schlubby splendor.
“Who are YOU?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Morrie. Morrie Fatberg. Looks like they flushed me out downstairs, so I’ll be crashing on your couch.”
Morrie coughed, a familiar, liquid rumble that rattled Stacie’s teeth. “Ya got a Ricola?”
Stacey handed Morrie a dishwasher tab instead.
Try as she might, Stacie never COULD get that grease stain from the rug…
Want to read my kids’ work for yourself? I’ve offered them up in the comment section of GirlGriot’s post. =))
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
What fun you and your students had.
I had to go read GirlGriot’s post after your accolades. Thanks! It was definitely a fun read.
I’m so glad to hear! Hopefully it’s as fun to READ as it was to WRITE.
In an instant, from thwarted energy to pure (and hilarious) creative vibrance! That’s one of the best things about this Challenge, how we nurture and sharpen each other’s craft. I can totally see the inspired mischief in the eyes of your students and feel the the absolute delight of the monster-ously charged atmosphere. There needs to be SO MUCH MORE FUN LEARNING IN SCHOOL. Like this. Just saying!
Thanks! I made a realization that if *I* couldn’t get myself interested and engaged in my own, planned lesson…my kids didn’t stand any hope of it!
That’s THE TRUTH!
I love it! You’ve got a wonderful 100 word story about the grease monster in the garbage disposal. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I think I could have gone into a longer story. Morrie certainly took up MUCH more room in my brain than the 100-word story will allow, that’s for sure!
You totally made my day, Lainie, you and your wonderfully creative students! Please thank them for me … and I’m sure the monster is enjoying being the star of all these tales! 🙂
Absolutely! And I hope you enjoyed your date with Morrie. =))