Writing A Chain Story (Great for Teens)

Writing lessons always bring a groan from the teens, don't they?

This one too~ But by the end, they'll love it!

Photo from Instagram

Do you teach teenagers? ​Do you need a dynamic English writing lesson? This is one your students will love. 

Your students are going to write a chain story. They may not like the idea at first, but then by the end, they will love it!

You may have heard of this idea before or even may have done it in your lessons, but I added a few small details that really make the process go by much more smoothly. Here's how I do it.

How It Works

ACTIVITY: Write a Chain Story
GROUPS: 6-9 students
LEVEL: B1 (Lower Intermediate) and Above

TASK: 
1. Students sit in a circle.
2. Everybody needs a pen and a piece of paper.
3. Start by writing the word "Yesterday"
4. Pass the paper to the person to the write, and that person begins writing the story.
5. Student writes for 90 seconds or 2 minutes. Give later students extra time to read the story.
6. Pass the paper to the person to the right. Continue the story that comes to you.
7. Announce the final 2 or 3 rounds.
​
Subscribe to get more lesson ideas and English fluency expressions.

Additional Tips to Save Your Sanity

1. Allow them to moan and groan at first. Just continue with your lesson. 
2. Limit your control on their content. (I've seen some CRAZY stories.) Let them be creative.
3. Give them time goals to organize themselves in a circle. For example: "You have 2 minutes to organize the class in 3 equal groups and form a circle." (For large classes)
4. Show a countdown timer on the screen. I normally either use Google or Online Stopwatch. 

Contact Us On SOCIAL MEDIA