Merry Christmas!

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.