It's in the Can

This activity was designed as a learning center for writing. It gives students the oppportunity to write stories of a particular genre based on a supplied title.

Materials:

three small lidded containers (I used the Crystal Lite cans), index cards, colored contact paper, white construction paper, markers or crayons

Construction:

1. Cover the small cans with contact paper.
2. Cut the white construction to make three labels that will fit on the cans. These will serve as the titles for each can.
3. On one label print the title SPORTS and draw an appropriate illustration. Being no Rembrandt, I simply drew a footbal, a baseball, and a hockey stick.
4. On another label, print the title HUMOR and draw an appropriate illustration. I used a big smiley face.
5. On the third label, print the title MYSTERY and draw an illustration. I drew a large question mark.
6. Cut the index cards into strips that will easily fit into each can, allowing the lid to snap on.
7. On each strip print the story titles from each genre.
   1. SPORTS
      • The Thrilling Ski Vacation
      • The Magical Hockey Stick
      • My Life as a Golfball
      • The PeeWees vs. the Mighty Mites
      • Touchdown for the Tornadoes
      • The Basketball that Wouldn't Bounce
      • In the Boxing Ring with Max Muscles
   2. HUMOR
      • The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy for Christmas
      • Why the Pollyglup Will Never Forget the ZeeZee Bug
      • The Potato Chip that Wouldn't Crunch
      • The Bashful Rhino
      • Willie, the Woeful Wall
      • Mr. Whiffle's Sniffle
      • Fuzzy, Furry Frankie
      • Marvin, the MoMo Monster
   3. MYSTERY
      • Creepy Footsteps
      • The Case of the Missing Mummy
      • The Shrinking Room
      • Help. I'm Stuck
      • The Attack of the Midnight Visitor
      • The Runaway Vacuum
      • The Stream that Wandered Away
      • The Mysterious Narts
      • Three Feet of Trouble
8. Place the strips into the appropriate cans.
9. Place the cans in an easily accessible spot in your classroom.
10. Students visit the writing center, select a can and choose a title from which they compose a story.