Backbeard’s Parrot

Often, a story will suggest other stories that happen outside the main plot. Part of the fun of reading is imagining how these parts of the story might go, completing them in our own minds. Whenever we do that, we’re using a technique called “closure”. This writing project asks students to use closure to extend the story of Backbeard in their own way.

Objective:

Working from clues in the story, write your version about what happens to Backbeard’s parrot.

Details:

At the beginning of the book, Backbeard’s parrot quits and packs his bag to leave. Working from clues in the story, ask your students to write about where he goes next. Encourage them to answer questions such as:

What is his/her name?

Where did he/she come from? How did he/she end up with Backbeard?

Why does he/she leave?

What does he/she pack?

Where does he/she go?

What does he/she do next?

Have a brainstorming session with the class and come up with ideas for the above questions.

With grades K-1, you can write the story as a class or have the kids do a story just with pictures. For grades 2 and above, you can have kids write a story on their own using some of the ideas. If they can illustrate their story, even better!