Create-A-Story Board Game
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Create-A-Story Board Game

# 006213
Our Price: $42.50
Retail: $44.95
Save: 5.45% ($2.45)
Item out of print or discontinued by supplier.
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Item #: 006213
Grades: K-AD

Product Description:

So, you're writing stories in English class, and your reluctant writer is whiny and reticent. "Why do we have to write stories? I can't think of anything!" If you can't get them out of their writing slump by suggesting "Well, let's brainstorm," or "Look around you for ideas," just say (with a twinkle in your eye) - "Forget it, let's just play a game instead." Of course, five or ten minutes later they'll realize they're not getting off the story-writing hook, but they'll probably be enjoying themselves so much they'll forget to pout. The game format is similar to most board games your family plays, with a large board featuring a wandering path from beginning to end. Besides a die, scoring pad and markers, the game features eight decks of story element cards and a story outline pad. Basically, as players move along the board, they will collect specific story element cards, and weave them into a story. Card decks are clearly labeled and include topic sentence, plot, character, setting, description, dialogue, lesson, and resolution cards. At the beginning of the game, each player receives a topic sentence. This is the only topic sentence card they will receive, and should be used towards the beginning of the story. As they roll the die, they will land on spaces labeled with the names of corresponding story element cards, and will draw the top card from the stack. By the end of the game, they should have at least one of each element card, and at least five description cards. Then, the writing begins! Choosing from their collected cards, the writer decides which cards he wants to incorporate into his or her story, and writes them onto the outline sheet. The outline begins with the topic sentence, and features blanks to fill in for each part of the story. Under "Setting", they must determine the "where", "when" and descriptors. Under character, they must identify the good guys and the bad guys, and describe both. For the plot, they must identify the problem, and decide on the order of events. Under "Resolution" and "Lesson", they will decide how the "Resolution" and "Lesson" cards they chose relate to their story, and how it all wraps up. Now, players each have a good framework for a story; the trick is now fleshing it out into an actual short story, which may be easier at this point, since a lot of the "unknowns" have been identified. A scoring sheet will help Mom decide if the story included all the necessary components, and will inspire kids not to skimp on the "less exciting" stuff. Since inventing characters, conflicts and settings sometimes takes a lot of steam out of even the more enthused young writers, I would imagine that taking that pressure off of them in this way would free up their imaginations to write a much more well-rounded, exciting story. I'll bet that even Mom and Dad will want to play this one! - Jess

Category Description for CREATIVE WRITING:

These materials cover various types of creative writing, including descriptive writing, poetry, journaling, and stories.


Primary Subject
English/Writing
Grade Start
K
Grade End
AD
Author
Donna Austin & Patricia Padget
Format
Board Game
Brand Name
Create! Press
Weight
3.35 (lbs.)
Dimensions
10.25" x 20.25" x 1.0"
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Why did you choose this?
Rainbow Resource Center Store
It looks like a great and fun way for my special needs kiddo to learn to write stories.
Crystal G on Mar 10, 2020
My daughter is struggling with writing so I thought this would be helpful and fun! Cathy Duffy recommends it!
Cristie C on Oct 5, 2019
It looks like a great and fun way for my special needs kiddo to learn to write stories.
Crystal G on Mar 10, 2020
It had good reviews
Danielle C on Dec 26, 2019
My daughter is struggling with writing so I thought this would be helpful and fun! Cathy Duffy recommends it!
Cristie C on Oct 5, 2019
Looks like a fun and interactive way to help my children delvop and improve their writing skills.
Dawn R on Sep 2, 2019
Cathy Duffy
Anita F on Aug 19, 2019
looking for something different than just workbooks for creative writing for elementary and middle school
Valerie C on Aug 13, 2019
This game gets great reviews, especially from Cathy Duffy. I plan to use this to teach my children how to write a story and about the elements within a story.
Allison D on Jul 7, 2019
Wanted a fun way to start incorporating structure into my kids' stories that they create.
Stacey on Jun 19, 2019
We are a homeschool family and this was recommended on Cathy Duffy reviews.
Sophie N on Jun 4, 2019
It's a great game
Amy M on Feb 7, 2019
My son is not a strong writer. He is very creative when it comes to games or building things, but when he has to think of things to write, or create stories to write, he draws a blank. After reading some reviews, and talking with him, I thought since this was a game, and due to prompting, and outline paper, I am hoping that after playing several times he will understand the concept of writing.
Jill R on Jan 26, 2019
I homeschool my two daughters and thought this would bring some fun to writing imaginative stories.
Trina B on Dec 4, 2018
Cathy Duffy top pick
Heather Z on Aug 6, 2018
To help them build a composition or story.
Joseph G on Jun 25, 2018
High reviews and description of the product
Mary N on Jun 24, 2018
Thought this would be a fun way to introduce how to write a story/paper for school.
David E on Feb 6, 2018
This game is on Cathy Duffy's top 102 list for homeschool curriculum related items. It sounds like a fun way to help my children enjoy the creative process of writing.
Heidelinda S on Dec 29, 2017
This is on Duffy's top 100 list. I am always looking for ways to make "school" a lifestyle. We are excited to try out Create-a-story!
Alicia B on Dec 17, 2017
friend recommended
Laura G on Nov 24, 2017
Looks fun
Amy E on Oct 25, 2017
Cathy Duffy and family reviews compelled me to give this a try.
Nicole W C on Sep 9, 2017
I needed something to make writing more fun and Cathy Duffy's review of this said it was top notch. Sounds fun too!
Jana C on Aug 15, 2017
We're working on improving my 10 year old's and 11 year old's story writing skills in fun, engaging ways. It also has a thorough explanation on Cathy Duffy Reviews that convinced me to give this a try.
User on Aug 14, 2017
Suggested by Cathy Duffy as a top choice for helping my kiddos write stories.
Pamela m on Aug 5, 2017
This is recommended in Cathy Duffy's book "102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum". I'm excited to try it.
Brenda L on Jul 22, 2017
Good summer game to help my son who has a hard time expressing himself
joe r on May 24, 2017
looks really fun and educational.
Jennifer P on Mar 31, 2017
We lack strong composition/writing curriculum because my girls are bogged down with learning how to read, spell, know gammar and do math. We have Writing with Ease which is great for teaching how to structure writing but I suspect my kids could benefit from this game as a fun supplement from time to time to help with gaining a more well rounded composition knowledge.
ZACHARIA M on Feb 8, 2017
My homeschooler had a hard time with writing stories , creating stories , and it always ends in tears , I find games are a great way to reduce the stress. And have fun learning.
maria m on Jan 22, 2017
You were the only website that supplied this item other than the producer of the product
Lisa d on Jan 12, 2017
christmas list
Mary H on Dec 15, 2016
I have 4 kids and I thought this might be a fun game for Christmas.
Deborah T on Dec 6, 2016
We are looking forward to making our writing endeavors more creative and fun.
Pamela S on Oct 27, 2016
Read reviews about how great it was.
Kim P on Oct 20, 2016
3rd ad 1st graders need some way to learn about story-making, and this sounds fun.
Erin D on Aug 1, 2016
This looks fun and is one of Cathy Duffy's top picks. I hope we like it.
Bernadette B on Jul 16, 2016
Have been intrigued by this game for quite awhile. I held off because of the price, but am hoping it turns out to be a fun and valuable investment.
Rachael D on Apr 13, 2016
Recommended as an awesome game! Looking forward to receiving this!
Georgette H on Mar 17, 2016
I am homeschooling my children and I was never a strong writer, so I am hoping this will help us all.
LAUREN R on Oct 14, 2015
It had good reviews
Danielle C on Dec 26, 2019
Looks like a fun and interactive way to help my children delvop and improve their writing skills.
Dawn R on Sep 2, 2019
Would this be too "young" for an 8th-grade boy?
User on Sep 7, 2017
BEST ANSWER: My kids were 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade when I bought this. It is WAY, too involved for their age group. I would suggest 5th grade and up personally. Middle schoolers and high schoolers would easily find this entertaining and an engaging way to develop story lines.
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5.0 / 5.0
6 Reviews
5 Stars
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Rated 5 out of 5
GAME FOR TEACHING
GREAT LEARNING GAME I"M TEACHING MY STUDENTS TO READ AND THIS GAME MADE LEARNING FUN
May 11, 2018
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Really Fun!
I wasn't disappointed. The game was fun and it got my kids to make up wild stories. We laughed and they were not on electronics which made me happy!
May 7, 2017
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
co op and home use
I bought this to use in a small co op class as well as home. My middle school children really liked it and really got into writing a story. We have not used it in a class yet, but I can see we would have to use two classes. The first to collect the cards and outline/notes and the second for the story and scoring. It helped my children to actually finish a story since they were not bogged down choosing so many elements.
August 15, 2016
Purchased
 over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
My girls have been playing this game for at least 5 years and they are 14 & 16 now! They love it and have a blast with writing the stories They think it's hilarious and are always laughing at each others stories First they have to choose cards from different piles on the board (for example one may be a "plot" card "setting" card "character" card etc and on the other side give an interesting plot or whatever that card is Usually they are quite funny) After they have collected their cards they do an outline (given questions they fill in the blanks) of what their story will have in it using the cards they picked up The challenge is how to tie the different ideas together Then they write their stories My girls don't like to let the other know what they are writing so it will be a surprise Then they get to read their story to each other and they have so much fun It makes writing fun like Mad-Libs makes grammar fun
August 3, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5
I was having trouble getting my 8 year old to write anything This is so easy to use with no preperation My daughter is a hands on/visual learner I think it makes her "feel smart" as a writer She asks to play We spend one day playing the game and filling out the outline sheet Then she writes her paper the next day I am so excited to see her glow with satisfaction of completing a full written paper It's bringing her confidence out that yes - she CAN write It's a bit spendy But going from hating writing and no writing to enjoying and having fun writing is worth every penny to me
February 2, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5
This game is incredible! My 11 year old daughter and I love it The directions are easy to follow and no teacher prep is necessary This is really great for creative writing ideas The children play the game collecting cards for use in filling out an outline Then they write As a parent/teacher I have found this game to be challenging It's good for me to play the game and write as well as my children so I can really understand that it's not as easy as it looks It has been a treat to write with my daughter sharing our stories together I highly recommend this product Though it is pricey I have to say that it is indeed well worth the expense
December 8, 2008

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