Writing activity:

pourquoi tale

Created by: Caryn Hammond

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Caryn-Hammond
 table of contents:
Additional Resources (Page3)
Introduction Page (4)
Step 1: Prewriting (5-6)
Step 2: Drafting (7-9)
Steps 3/4: Revising/Editing (10)
Black/White Version (11-17)
Final Copy Paper Border #1 (18-19)
Final Copy Paper Border #2 (20-21)
Text
fonts and graphics:

Created by: Caryn Hammond

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Caryn-Hammond
 additional resources:
Pourquoi Tales to Read Aloud:

“Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale” by Verna Aardema

“How and Why Stories” by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss

“How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes” by Joseph Bruchac

“Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale” by Mary-Joan Gerson and Carla Golembe

“Why Lapin’s ears are long and other tales from the Louisiana Bayou” adapted by Sharon Arms Doucet

tips and tricks:

Depending on your students’ needs, this product may be used as a whole class activity or as enrichment.

Students will likely need modeling of the steps of the writing process. I copy the whole packet for my
students (Intro Page and Steps 1-4) and work through it each day with them.

This activity can be used as a connection to science when studying animal classification, features, or habitats.

If your students need additional pages for their final copies, simply copy extra pages of the second final copy
sheet.
Name_______________ Date_______________

pourquoi tale
Pourquoi [por-kwa] means “why” in French.

Pourquoi tales are myths told to explain certain things or events

in nature.

The tales are set very long ago. They often begin with words
such as “Long ago...” to show that the tale is ancient.

The animal characters act like people. They can speak and think
like humans.

Topic:
________
Audience: ________
Purpose: ________
Form: ________

I wonder
what animal
I should
write
about...
 Step 1: prewriting

Main Character (type of

animal and its name)

What about
“Pierre the
Pig?”

“Why” or “How” Question

Why do pigs
roll in the
mud?

Other Characters and Their

Names
 prewriting continued

Problem

Solution

I have a few
ideas. Now, let’s
turn them into a
story!
 Step 2: Drafting

Beginning:

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 Step 2: Drafting

Middle:

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 Step 2: Drafting

End:

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 Step 3: Revising

Read your piece with a partner and ask the following questions.
Use a colored pencil to make revisions on your draft.

Does my story make sense?

Did I clearly explain my character’s problem?
Did I clearly explain the solution?
Does my story help explain something in nature?
Do I have an ending that “wraps up” the story?

Who was your partner? _________________

List one revision you made to your piece:

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Step 4: editing

All of my sentences start with a capital letter.

My sentences have ending punctuation.
I checked for fragments and run-on sentences.
I fixed spelling where I could and circled words I am not sure about.
Name_______________ Date_______________

pourquoi tale
Pourquoi [por-kwa] means “why” in French.

Pourquoi tales are myths told to explain certain things or events

in nature.

The tales are set very long ago. They often begin with words
such as “Long ago...” to show that the tale is ancient.

The animal characters act like people. They can speak and think
like humans.

Topic:
________
Audience: ________
Purpose: ________
Form: ________

I wonder
what animal
I should
write
about...
 Step 1: prewriting

Main Character (type of

animal and its name)

What about
“Pierre the
Pig?”

“Why” or “How” Question

Why do pigs
roll in the
mud?

Other Characters and Their

Names
 prewriting continued

Problem

Solution

I have a few
ideas. Now, let’s
turn them into a
story!
 Step 2: Drafting

Beginning:

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
 Step 2: Drafting

Middle:

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_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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 Step 2: Drafting

End:

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_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
 Step 3: Revising

Read your piece with a partner and ask the following questions.
Use a colored pencil to make revisions on your draft.

Does my story make sense?

Did I clearly explain my character’s problem?
Did I clearly explain the solution?
Does my story help explain something in nature?
Do I have an ending that “wraps up” the story?

Who was your partner? _________________

List one revision you made to your piece:

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Step 4: editing

All of my sentences start with a capital letter.

My sentences have ending punctuation.
I checked for fragments and run-on sentences.
I fixed spelling where I could and circled words I am not sure about.
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A Pourquoi Tale by __________________________

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A Pourquoi Tale by __________________________

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Created by: Caryn Hammond

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Caryn-Hammond