I like getting my students to do creative writing. I think I like it considerably better than either of my two Japanese co-teachers. So I utilise times and projects that are specifically mine. Most recently I had my 3rd-years (same age as American 9th-graders) doing a finish-the-story exercise.
The prompt:
“One day in December, I went to Sendai Station. I saw a strange train. It was called the Polar Express. I got on the train and went to the North Pole to see Santa Claus...”
The answers:
I got to North Pole.
But, Santa Claus wasn’t there.
Santa Claus lived in Finland.
I was very sad.
They got this idea from somewhere, about Santa living in Finland. Several of them mentioned it; a few got back on the train and went to Finland.
When I met Santa, he said
“You are dead.”
This was heaven.
I slept for a long time.
I forgot to get up.
I’m sleeping now.
I met Santa Claus.
But Santa had a cold.
Santa said “Oh... help... me...”
I took care of Santa. Santa has cold recovered tomorrow.
Santa gave many presents to me when I went back home.
When I met Santa, he was dead.
I was very very sad and cried for some hours.
I thought, “I want to be Santa because I can keep children’s dream.”
I became Santa.
SANTA’S SOUL WAS FOR EVER.
There were many Santas on the snow.
All Santas gave me presents.
But about half of presents were empty.
Santa did high-five and said “Yheeeey!”
I got angry.
And I hit Santas face.
I get to the Arctic.
I adventure is the Arctic
and I met Santa Claus.
I was surprised to see Santa Claus.
I said “Hello.” “Hello, welcome to Santa Claus land,” answered Santa.
I went to Santa Claus land with Santa Claus.
I arrived at the station on time.
I said, “Santa Claus! Santa Claus!”
But Santa Claus wasn’t in the station.
I didn’t get a present.
Santa Claus doesn’t exist in the world.
Santa Claus was an old woman.
So, I’m surprised.
“How old are you?”
“Two thousand nine.”
I was shook by an Express. I ought to arrive in North Pole. But an Express arrive in old shrine.
I arrive in North Pole.
But I don’t find Santa’s house.
I noticed then.
This plan is to take away money from us.
I already don’t have any money.
I want to kill them.
When it got there, I found Santa Claus riding on sleigh.
As soon as I tried to talk to him, he ran away.
I asked people near me why he ran away.
People said, “He is very busy in winter. If you want to meet him, you should visit him in other seasons.”
So I came back here.
