Story Planning

StoryPlanning-FHPW

Swap ideas

As the school year gets rolling, I thought this would be a good chance to swap great story ideas. To get the ball rolling, here are some thoughts:

1. Find a first-year teacher at your school to profile -- maybe check back in throughout the year. A few years ago, I wrote about how one out of every three teachers leaves the profession within their first three years. The Kansas State Department of Education could get you newer figures.

2. School districts had fewer jobs to fill this year. One reason is that teachers who had planned to retire earlier are sticking with the profession until the economy turns around. (No one wants to leave when their investments are looking shaky.)

3. Some behind the scenes preparations for the start of school could be interesting, especially if you look for a quirky angle. For example, who cleans up and fixes all the old band instruments?

Any other ideas?

Day 1-The stories all around us

Answer these questions:

1. Where do I sit at lunch?



2. Who do I talk to in the hallway?



3. What route do I walk to class?



4. What clubs, sports or activities do I know little about?



5. When I look through my yearbook, who don’t I know anything about (beyond their name)?



6. What holds me back from breaking out of my comfort zone?



Shake things up

1. Switch your routine/open your eyes to new ideas.

2. Talk to students you don’t know, teachers you don’t have. Sit at a different lunch table.

3. Take time to listen.

4. Broaden your horizon.

5. Acknowledge what you don’t know and listen.

6. Just watch.

7. Always ask: Anything else going on? Any good story ideas?




---Barbara Hollingsworth--Flint Hills Publications Worshop--