A writing challenge!

Writing should be fun. 
I never tire of saying this. It should be as much fun as reading is. But when we write, and for it to be fun, we have to have fun too while doing it. That's what I believe in and that's what I try to do in my classes. 
So, this week, I gave my 10th graders an assignment: they had to write a story using a set of words I had randomly given out. (They are either in bold or underlined here). It was group work, so they had to be able to listen to eachother and negociate content and context.

These are some of the stories written by the 10th AV1. Enjoy! 

Mauro and Isabel Sanchéz were a spanish couple that came from poor families. At the age of fifty they felt the need to emigrate because in Spain they didn't have economic stability and were afraid to live in misery.

After fifteen years living in France, they had a tragic car accident there and, unfortunately, Isabel couldn't survive.

As he was completely in love with his wife, the old man felt that his life had lost all sense and spent his days crying. Mauro became depressed and stopped caring about everything. He fired up and looked miserable.

He grew his beard and used the same clothes and an old ripped cap every day.

Mr. Sanchéz missed Isabel so much that he had the need to talk with her about his feelings. One day, he grabbed a paper and a pencil and started writing. He wrote mostly about fear... Fear of never see her again, once he believed in other life after death.

Usually, he felt better after writing to his wife.

Mauro didn't want any other women in his life... He became so sick that he was counting the days without her on a black board! Some of his friends were really worried with him, but he always wanted to be alone, counting the days passing and writing love cards on a piece of paper.

(by Ana, Andreia and Beatriz)

Dear diary,

I'm sorry I haven't talked to you in a while. I've been a little busy with all my school work and then chores that my mom keeps telling me to do. I seriously hate doing them, I simply just want to lay in bed and watch netflix all day.

I just remembered the most shocking thing that I've seen in my entire life! It happened yesterday while I was doing the dishes; I glanced out the window and I noticed my neighbours chillin' on their front yard, eating breakfast. I don't know how it happened, I just saw their table hitting the floor and their milk and their pancakes were all over them! It was hilarious! While they were cleaning up the mess they'd done, I watched a man all dressed in black, holding a knife, going towards them. I couldn't say a word! I was appalled! That stranger killed those innocent people and after that he screamed "Peace"! Can you believe it? How can peace be such an awful thing? I immediately called the police and told them what had happened so that man can be arrested for what he's done!

My mom is calling me to dinner,

I'll write to you soon again.

xo Gigi

(by Beatriz, Matilde and Rita)