How can growing and learning be portrayed in short stories?
What We're Exploring
Statement of Inquiry: Writers' use of plot and character across different texts reveals how challenges of different kinds are connected with / may lead to the self-discovery, new learning and personal growth which help to form a person's identity.
Through reading and analyzing short stories, students explore how authors portray the experience of growing up and facing challenges. We examine how structure, conflict, and character development work together to show transformation.
Students will learn to:
- Analyze how short stories are structured
- Understand how writers construct dynamic characters who change
- Identify different types of conflict and their role in narrative
- Connect themes of growth and learning across multiple texts
- Write their own short story featuring a dynamic character
Current Assignments
Click on any assignment for full details and instructions
Write your own short story
Write a short story that includes literary devices such as foreshadowing, figurative language, and others.
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How you can support your student through the short story assessment
Supporting Your Grade 9 Writer
This assessment has three stages: a Story Planner (submitted for feedback before drafting), the Short Story itself (~1,500 words, due March 13), and a Writer's Reflection (due March 17). Your role is not to shape the story — it's to support the conditions in which your student can do their best thinking.
Ask, Don't Tell
The best support is curious questions, not suggestions. Try: "What's the most interesting thing about your main character?" or "What do you want the reader to feel by the end?" Let your student find their own answers.
Help Them Pace Themselves
There are two deadlines close together — the story on March 13 and the reflection on March 17. Help your student plan their time so they're not drafting everything the night before. Even 30 minutes of writing a few days a week makes a big difference.
Encourage a Messy First Draft
Many students freeze trying to write a perfect story. Remind them the first draft is supposed to be rough — the goal is to get ideas down. They'll revise later. A finished imperfect draft is always better than a blank page.
Support the Reflection Too
The Writer's Reflection is a graded part of the assessment. Ask your student to read you their favourite line from the story and explain why they wrote it that way — that's exactly the kind of thinking the reflection asks for.
Important: Please Don't Write It for Them
Both the story and the reflection must be entirely your student's own work — including any editing or rewording. AI-generated writing is also not permitted without prior discussion with me. If your student is stuck, the best step is to reach out to me directly via the Edufit Parents app. I check messages daily and respond within 24 hours on school days.