1.The storyline below is a frame for your reference.
2.Most probably 30 pages will only consume a small part of this whole story.
3. Ira is now working on pictures needed on the first page. We'll work together to make the first page complete.
4. I suggest we start every page with a number so that whoever happens to have some idea may find the place to add to, such as Page 2, Page 3, etc. Ideally we do page by page.
5. Do we need a preface introducing the story (without telling the result)in a native language like Chinese?
If we had a "preface page" we could have the same short intro in a dozen (or more) languages (as sound files). You could simply "click on" (not sure of what this is called in LeapPad?) a map and get the introduction in the language of that country.
6. Things to be considered:
a. Not much content on each page.
b. Simple English language.
c. What task should the hero or the learner finish to go to a next page?
d. Repeating language when possible.
7. Should we still try to use "the diary" system, plus "speech balloons"?
REMEMBER: After editing, don't forget to "store".
The storyline: Julian said goodbye to his father at the school entrance. He comes into the classroom and finds his classmate Helen is still absent, who is already missing for three days. ...When Julian comes home and sees that his father is reading Helen's diary, he understands that his father, an FBI, has taken up the case. ...Julian followed his father by first hiding in his car. When his father later finds him, they start to investigate into the case together. Julian comes to know that Helen's father is a nuclear scientist, who is now being coerced by some terrorists that kidnapped Helen in order to induce Helen's father to work with them. ... Julian offers a lot of insights into the case because of his knowledge of teennagers' life, language, and secrets. Helen also leaves some clues in hope of someone understanding them...Julian and his father go through many difficulties in various situations, but finally Helen is saved.
Page 1:
[Diary Page] It was Monday and my dad drove me to school.
Dad said, "I will not be home tonight"
He left money in the kitchen in case I need to buy dinner.
(picture 1 - dad drops off Julian at school)
dialogue in a bubble:
Goodbye Julian.
See you later dad.
(picture 2 - Julian walking towards the school building. Everything is empty)
(Julian's commentary - what runs through his head)
Oh no. It is 8 o'clock. I am late {again - perhaps we should stick to the minimum of new words}.
(picture 3 - Julian walks in the classroom, teacher greets him somewhat sacrastically:
Hello Julian. (and adds) You are late!
I am sorry Ms.....
(picture 4 - Julian sits down next to his friend Pete and talks to him...)
Hey Pete. What's up?
Helen is missing.
What?
Helen is missing!
No way... How long?
3 days.
(picture 5 - Julian sitting in the classroom, looking puzzled, thinking...)
Helen is sweet. Why is she missing? Her dad is a nuclear scientist {I am thinking that this may be too difficult to pronounce for complete beginners..., even Bush can't get it right...}. Hm...
_
Now the real question is -- what kind of exercises are we attaching to this? What is the vocabulary that we want them to take home?
I suggest we emphasize three things but I am still not sure what practice activities we can develop.
1) the greetings: Hey Pete. Hello Julian. Bye dad. See you later.
2) the verb to be: I am late. You are late. It is 8 o'clock. Helen is sweet. Pete is a friend. We are a family (picture of Julian, his dad and his little brother or whoever...). You are a student (a finger pointing at the person reading the book). (Helen and Pete) They are in love. -- each form of to be would be highlighted. Should be followed by a exercise such as fill in the blanks...
3) numbers -- since I put two numbers in the dialogues, maybe we can introduce numbers 1-12 with a picture of a clock and on every click, there would be a sound of the number...
4) vocabulary absent from sentences: things in the classroom -- on every click there could be a sound attached to an object: e.g. car, julian's skateboard that he is carrying under his arm, school, door, etc... -- not too many so that it's not overwhelming
My concern is -- is this too much to put on the first page? May be we can spread it over several pages..._
My father is going away tonight.
He says, "goodbye, take care of yourself" and left me some money.
He had no time to hear about my day at school.
Jennifer was not at school today.
And the police came to ask us where she might be.
I think her father is a scientist.
My father works for the FBI.
He solves crimes.
When he is not home with me.
At home it is just my father and me.
Just the two of us.
So I am home alone often.
First Page
Dropped off at school
Father says goodbye
father is going away
Meets friends
What is he carrying into school?
Goes into classroom.
Second Page
Sits at table
looks out window
notices his friend is not there
Later
he can find her diary in her school desk.
Thank you so much for this artclie, it saved me time!
50.19.15.136 (2011-07-28 12:30:54)
what's the boy's name?
35.13.196.153 (2005-09-22 14:13:00)