Volume 44, Number 1, September/October 1964 - BCTF Home

After the s*tory has been criticized, and suggested
changes have been made, the story may dictate itself
to the class,
As teachers experiment with Living Paragraphs,
they will develop their own techniques, and make
adaptations lo fit their own needs and those of the
class. Continuity of leaching is vital to the success of
Living Paragraphs. One period a week is essential.
In working with Living Paragraphs, the teacher is
guiding group dynamics. Criticism within the groups,
together with teacher-directed criticism of each group,
keeps the fundamentals of good writing constantly
before the pupils.
To illustrate the quality of paragraph that can be
developed by using the Living Paragraph method,
the following samples have been chosen as representative
of the work done from Grade 2 to 5.
The Wise Mouse
(Grade 2-5 pupils)
Once upon a time there was a wise mouse who
lived near a forest. One sunny day he wandered into
the forest and got lost. Then he began to think. He
saw that his tail had left a trail in the snow, so he
followed the trail back to his home. After that the
wise little mouse never wandered off into the forest
again. '