381: What if We're thinking Too Small When it Comes to Short Stories? (And Sometimes, Not Small Enough)

The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast | ELA

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8d ago 7:21

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I never met a short story I liked back in high school.

If I was going to read, I wanted to READ.

I wanted to get caught up in the plot, get to know the characters, inhabit the action, spend some time in another world.

I certainly didn't want to finish half an hour after I began. No matter how lovely the language or innovative the miniature plot. My eyes just drifted over short story sections at bookstores and libraries like they weren't there, and I honestly can't remember the name of a single story I read in high school that has stayed with me.

I know, I know, I should start my podcast with a more chipper intro. But here's the thing - I've got a new take on the world of short stories. Yes, I could talk to you about the stunning language of Hemingway short stories I discovered in grad school. (Here's looking at you, "Hills like White Elephants"). Or I could share Ursula LeGuin's unique Giver-in-miniature, Those Who Walk Away from Omelas (though you might have a little trouble keeping everyone serious during the paragraph about orgies). I could even dig into Poe, that intriguingly murky figure, with his loveably creepy Raven, and how well he lends himself to escape rooms.

But I've shared about popular classic short stories before. And reviewed popular contemporary collections for teens too. Even given you a walkthrough of designing an escape room for Poe.

Today, my aim is a bit different. As Camp Creative: Your Shiny New Short Story Toolbox, my summer Pd session gets closer (you can join us free here), I've been thinking a lot about different takes on the short story. Flash stories, audio stories, verse stories, graphic stories, multigenre stories. What if we added THESE to our short story toolbox?

Camp Creative : Your Shiny New Short Story Toolbox is coming June 23-27.

In this fun and free 5 day summer workshop, you’ll…

⭐ Learn about 5 fabulous short story options from me (plus SO MANY others from the thousands of other teachers at camp!)

⭐ Walk through 5 creative out-of-their-seats and/or outside-the-box short story lessons (bye bye, comprehension questions)

⭐ Take away 5 classroom-ready curriculum kits for next year (hello, major time-savers!)

Each day’s materials are designed to take just 10 minutes to peruse, and they come straight to your email so you can join us day by day or, if you're busy (or still teaching), catch up later.

Go Further:

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