Telling Tall Tales
with
Joshua the Giant Frog
4 Key Ingredients
Set the Scene
what kind of day is it, what is going on. Start with action.
Create Characters
Who does Joshua meet?
Cause Trouble
Joshua could cause trouble or there might be a problem when he arrives.
Let Joshua Save the Day
How does Joshua's size and power make things better?
Stretch the Truth
He was as fast as...
He was bigger than a ...
His GARRUMPH was so loud it...
Here are a few of the stories from recent visits –
St. Mary's School
Joshua’s Snowy Day
by the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.
The snow sparkled as the sun rose. Would there be school? JT wondered. All the kids pulled on their boots and slipped on their coats and headed outside. “Boom, BOOM, BOOM!” The earth shook.“Ahhhh! We’re going to die!” cried Catherine. “No,” said Joe, “I think something is coming. Look!”Everyone saw a giant wall of green land in front of them. “Slam!” A car slid off the road.“Oh no. Here comes a school bus,” Peggy said.“It’s headed for that ditch,” said Shelby.On board, the kids screamed, “Help!”“Hurry Joshua, save them,” said Ashley.As fast as a hawk, Joshua leaped over and landed in the ditch. But the bus was going too fast. It hit Joshua and flew in the air. Faster than the speed of light, Joshua’s tongue flicked out and grabbed the bus. He placed it gently on the ground. Kathryn staggered off the bus, wiped slime off her face, and said, “Thank you, Joshua. You saved us.” Sorry guys, I mistakenly took the sloppy copy with me. But you can still add to your story, change it, or illustrate it. Have Fun!
PTLewiston Public Library
Joshua Goes to Lewiston
by
Michael M. and Nicholas F.
at a recent visit to the Lewiston Public Library
The sun made Michael sweat as he swung on his swing set. Nicholas rode his bike up Michael’s driveway. Suddenly the earth shook. Nicholas fell off his bike, then heard “Boom, BOOM, BOOM!”“What is that?” Nicholas asked, while he picked up his bike. A giant shadow blocked out the sun. Joshua the Giant Frog loomed over the boys. His tongue zipped out as fast as a jet, and slurped up Michael’s whole house.“Hey! Give that back!” Michael said.But Joshua didn’t listen. Nicholas held up a squirrel and said, “Eat this instead.”But Joshua didn’t do it.Michael and Nicholas found a bunch of feathers and tickled Joshua’s nose and belly. Joshua sniffed and snuffled. He laughed and let out a big, enormous sneeze. “AHH CHOO!” The house flew out of Joshua’s mouth and landed safely in just the right spot. “Hooray!” Michael and Nicholas cheered. The End
This story was created by Michael who is in First Grade and Nicholas in Kindergarten. Nicholas had the energy and Michael was the idea man. Together they did an awesome job coming up with a lead, a conflict, and different ways to solve the problem. Great job, guys! -- P.T.
Country Parkway Elementary School
Joshua's Trick or Treat
by the 2nd grade students at Country Parkway
The Queen of Hearts ran up to the giant Ipod and said, "That's a great costume." The jack-o-lanterns glowed on the porch as the kids rang the doorbell. "Trick or treat."From behind them they heard, "AAHHHHHH! Help me!" Sofia, dressed as a giant butterfly, raced down the street.Then the earth shook. "Thump... THUMP.... THUMP!" Joshua the Giant Frog hopped into view. His tongue flicked as fast as a bullet at Sofia's wings."Oh no. Joshua thinks Sofia is a real butterfly."Jacob, dressed as Darth Vader brandished his light saber, and a Bumblebee waved her stinger. But Joshua kept chasing Sofia."Quick, get all of your candy in a pile," said Ipod. All the kids dumped their candy in the middle of the street. The pile grew taller than a sky scraper. "Joshua!" they called.Joshua turned to see the mountain of chocolate and sugar, and his tongue lapped it up. Poor Sofia dragged her broken wings back to town. Joshua handed her a Hershey candy bar to say he was sorry."Thank you," she said. "Happy Halloween everybody!"The End
Super job, guys! You had lots of great ideas. Sorry we could not fit them all in this story, but you can now work on one of your own. Try using the "magic three". Try three different ways to rescue Sofia, each one crazier than the last. The third time you are successful. This builds suspense. -- P.T.
Gorham Elementary School
Stuck in School
by the 3rd graders
All the kids grabbed their backpacks and rushed outside. "Let's go have some fun," said Molly, eager for the weekend. She hopped on a bus right behind Michael."Wait. This isn't your bus."Molly got off and went back inside. Boom, BOOM, BOOM!The earth shook. "Oh my gosh!" screamed Emily.
A great shadow fell over the school. "What's happening?" asked Jacob."The door is blocked. We can't get out," said Jenna. Outside, Justin lit his rocket with a fly inside. "He'll chase it," he said. But Joshua the Giant Frog did not."That was only 1 fly. We need lots of flies," said Gavin.But even a thousand flies weren't appetizing enough for Joshua.
Michael then pulled his Aladdin's lamp out of his backpack. "I wish, I wish for a date for Joshua.""Poof!" Joshuaina appeared. Joshua garrumphed and away they hopped."We're free!" all the kids cheered. "Have a good weekend and thank you, Joshua."The End
"Cool" Joshua
by the 4th graders
The daffodils waved in the breeze as the kids got on the bus. "Can't wait to get to the pond," said Cate."I'm hot," Jonathan whined. He wiped his sweaty brow."Eeew! You stink," said Cerena to Collyn."We all stink," he said pinching his nose."We need help!" Aaliyah shouted out the window.Suddenly a shadow fell over the stinky bus. "It's Joshua the Giant Frog. He can help us," said Allie. "He can fan us with a tree."But the leaves fell off with one swipe."I'm still hot," said Collyn.Joshua huffed and puffed and blew through the windows. "It's worse now," said Peggy.Joshua did the only thing he could think of. He wrapped his long, cool tongue around everyone."That feels much better!" Everyone cheered. "Thank you!"The End
Maplemere Elementary (Sweet Home)
Joshua's Lunch
by the fourth graders
The sun shone on the bunnies warming their new Spring coats. "Oh," said Amber. "I wish I could take a bunny home."Sniff, sniff. "What's that smell?" Jordyn asked. "Smells like a pond," said Renas pinching her nose."Is that bunny green?" asked Cameron. But before anyone could answer, the Big Green Bunny was on top of him. "It's a frog!" he grunted.Joshua lifted his foot and Cameron crawled out. "Mrs. L. is still under there," he cried.Everyone pushed and pulled at Joshua's green hide. Joshua didn't budge.Joshua (the kid) said, "Try a game of tag. Run around."But Joshua didn't know tag.Just then the lunch lady said, "The French Fries are ready." Joshua's tongue flicked out as fast as a gold medal track runner. His stomach gurgled as loud as kids at recess. Joshua the Giant Frog leaped up and chomped on the corner of the cafeteria. Mrs. L. leaped up and said, "Thank you, kids. French Fries for everyone." The End
Elmwood Village Charter School (Buffalo, NY)
The Day Joshua Got Stuck
by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders
The kids drooped over the railing at school. "I'm too hot to work," moaned Shanti.Then the floor shook. "Boom, BOOM, BOOM!:"Aaahhh!" Gino screamed and ducked into a supply closet. The other kids ran outside. Steam floated up from the pavement. Suddenly the sky went black. Joshua the Giant Frog leaped onto the skylight. "Creak... CRASH!""Ugh." "Joshua's stuck," said Jason."We need to get him out," Angelina said. "I know, get some butter." But that didn't work. It left a melty goo over the building.Seagulls flocked to the dripping butter."That's it," said Soliegh. "Harness the seagulls."But they nibbled through the ropes.Meanwhile, Gino busted out of the supply closet, bumping into the water main faucet as he broke the door. Water gushed, quickly filling the atrium. It rose higher and higher, and Joshua began to float. "Pop!" He was free.All the kids followed Gino as he leaped into their new swimming pool. "Thanks Joshua!" they cheered. "And Gino too."The End
Excellent job, guys! In this story we used the "Magic 3." The kids tried 3 times to get Joshua out of his jam. Now see if you can stretch the truth a little more. The water rose higher than a ....what? Or the kids ran outside as fast as a.....? Have fun!
PT Chestnut Ridge Elementary School (Chili, NY)
Joshua Saves the Day
by the 3rd and 4th graders
The sun reflected off the empty school windows, and the dandelions wilted under the summer heat. "Boom, Boom, BOOM!" The trees crashed to the ground. Brandon screamed, "Ahhh! What is that?"A giant green head appeared above the building. "Oh, it's just Joshua," said Christopher."Joshua the giant frog hopped out of the woods and landed ... CRASH right on the school.Sarah cheered. "Hurray! No more school/"The building creaked and groaned. Then a voice rose out of the rubble. "Help!""It's David and Ted," cried Fred. "They're trapped."As fast as a fighter jet racing lightning, Joshua flicked out his tongue, grabbed Ted and pulled him out."What about David?" asked Ted dripping with frog spit.Then Joshua lifted the roof and David leaped out. "I'm free," he said. "Joshua saved the day."The end
Stevenson Elementary (Ransomville, NY)
Joshua Saves Halloween
by the 4th grade students at Stevenson Elementary
The scarecrow decoration was soggy and the rain put out the jack-o-lantern's light. "It's too wet to go trick or treating," said Nathaniel wringing out his Charlie Brown costume. "Just bring an umbrella," said Kayla. The kids all tramped out of Stevenson Elementary. The earth shook. "Boom, BOOM, BOOM!"Earthquake! yelled Matthew hiding behind a pumpkin."No time to hide. Run!" said Jared.Kayla C. shrugged her shoulders. "It's just Joshua." A bolt of lightning hit right at Justin's feet. The sky went black. Joshua loomed over them. A tornado hit. Cars flew everywhere. "Watch out!" they all cried running for cover.Kayla C. waved her witch's broom and called, "Over here. Everyone get under Joshua." Everyone but Matthew was safe. He still was cowering behind the pumpkin. As fast as a cheetah, Joshua flicked out his tongue and pulled Matthew to safety. Hurray!" they cheered. "You saved us, Joshua."the end
The Haunted School
by the 5th graders at Stevenson El.
Leaves blew off the trees as the children huddled outside Stevenson Elementary. The house next door moaned and the headstone decorations loomed out of the earth. "Let's get going," said Ethan. "It's time to go trick-or-treating.""What was that?" asked Cierra. "I saw someone inside the school.""Nobody should be in there. It's locked," said Georgia. "There it is again," said Emily. "Whoever it is, they don't have a head!""And they shouldn't be in there," Jenna said brandishing her cave woman club. "Let's get them out." She crashed through a window, but got stuck."Get out of there. It's coming!" Emily screamed as she shivered in the cold. The headless figure approached."Garrumph!" echoed in the night."Hurry, Joshua," said Ethan. "Can you get Jenna out?"As fast as a bullet Joshua's tongue flicked out and yanked Jenna to safety."What is going on? asked the headless form. It was Mr. Cancilla in a headless horseman costume.The end
Joshua comes to Stevenson Elementary
started by the 3rd graders at Stevenson Elementary
Alicia leaned her chin on her hand and moaned. "This is boring."The raindrops pounded on the roof and no one could go outside.Just then the lights went out. "Oh no," said Jon. "Now we can't....I am so sorry that we ran out of time and did not get to finish your story. But this is a great beginning. What happens next? Write the rest of the story and email it to me. I'll add it to the website.
Pegtwrite [insert the @symbol] aol.com . Please put "student story" in the subject space. HAPPY WRITING!
Nathaiel Hawthorne Elementary
Joshua Saves Halloween at School #25
by the fourth graders at Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary
The jack-o-lanterns glowed as the kids gathered in front of school. Jaekwon hung up the last bat on the door and said, "Now, let's go trick or treating."Jamal, wearing his Ninja costume, led the way. As they crossed the bridge, they heard a deep "garrumph," and the earth shook. Zaejurr screamed, "Ahhh! What was that?" He turned and stared at one of Joshua's big green eyeballs. With a splash, Joshua hopped up drenching everyone's costumes. "Oh Joshua! You've ruined Halloween," they all yelled.Joshua thought for a moment then took a deep breath and "Whewww!" He blew everyone dry."Can you give us a ride?" asked Terrence.Joshua bowed down low to let the kids climb on. "Hurray!" they cheered. "This is the best Halloween ever."The End
Joshua and the Snowball
by the fourth graders at Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary
Everyone was bundled in their warmest coats making snowballs and snowmen. Suddenly the earth shook. "Ahhh! screamed Karon. "It's an earthquake."Naisha said, "No, it's just Joshua."Joshua leaped up and landed on top of a hill. Everyone watched in horror as he started to roll. He gathered snow as he went. He rolled over Adeosun. He rolled over Gino.He rolled over Jocousiz."BANG!" The giant snowball landed splat against the school. All the kids flew through the windows and landed in their seats."Just in time," said Miss Kellman. "Take out your pencils. We are having a test." The End
Joshua's First Thanksgiving
by the third and fourth graders at
Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary
"Mmmm! That turkey smells good," said Alex as he set a big bowl of stuffing on the long table. Kentrayl hung the last cornstalk and Alizzette blew up the last balloon. "It looks beautiful," she said. "This will be the best Thanksgiving ever.""Boom, BOOM, BOOM!" The earth shook."Ahhh!" Kylee screamed. "What is that?"Dayquan banged into the table as the quake got worse."Oh, it's just Joshua," said Celina as she looked out the window. As Joshua leaped toward school his foot caught on the little candycorn lights and all went black. He fell into the table, knocked over the corn and squashed the turkey."Oh no!" they cried. "It's ruined." Joshua frowned then bounded off. Two minutes later he came back with two turkeys, twice as much corn, and all the stuffing they could want."Hurray," they cheered. "This is the best Thanksgiving ever."The End
Oakfield-Alabama Summer School
Joshua’s Adventure in Oakfield
By Colleen, Brenden, Colin and Nathan,
the students in Mr. Thomas’s summer school class (8/2009)
The clouds rolled in and rumbled. “Ping…ping…ping, ping, ping!” The hail bounced off the roof and bus as the kids got off at school.“Run!” yelled Brenden covering his head.“The hail is the size of fully loaded mini vans!” Nathan shouted as one almost hit him. They all crowded inside school as the hail pounded the pavement. Mrs. Thomas said, “Oh no! We’re trapped!” Hail was covering the windows and blocking the door. Suddenly they heard, “Garrumph! Garrumph!” “Yea!” Colin cheered. “Someone has come to rescue us.”Mounds of hail were pushed aside [by something large and green] and Colleen said, “It’s a giant green frog!“It’s Joshua!” said Mrs. Thomas. “He is plowing the hail away.” With each Garrumph his throat cleared a path. “We are free! Colleen said opening the door. “Thank you !” They all cheered and Joshua gave them all a ride home.The End
Iroquois Intermediate School
Joshua Goes to Iroquois Intermediate
by the 4th graders at I. I.
The bare trees weighed heavily under the thick snow as the children trudged to school. "I hope I pass my test," John said."Maybe they'll close school before we have the test," said Peggy."I hope so too," said Owen as he opened the door for everyone. Suddenly the earth shook. "Boom, Boom, BOOM!" A shadow fell over the school. "What was that?" Jamie asked as he grabbed the wall to stop from falling. ["I think Joshua is here," Peggy said.]"Whoosh!" A giant wave of white snow crashed down on the school."Ahhhh!" Colton screamed. The lights dimmed and went out."What are we going to do?" asked Miss Chenowski."I don't know," said Anna. "But I think we're going to find out."They heard [Joshua] huff and a puff, and John said, "Hey, look. The snow is melting." And as fast as a disappearing leprechaun, the snow melted off the school. Mrs. Ickenflack announced, "We're saved! Every one line up."They all marched out of the school and thanked Joshua for saving their lives.The End!
Joshua Goes to Elma, NY
by the 3rd graders at Elma Primary
The school bus pulled up and all the kids dashed off in a sea of green. It was Frog Appreciation Day."Why couldn't I be sick today?" said Trinity."Yeah, me too," said Seamus. "I hate frogs." "You are weird," said Sienna waving her pet frog in his face. "Frogs are great!"Boom, Boom, BOOM. The earth shook and the forest trees toppled. Joshua had arrived. "Trinity screamed, "AHH!"Seamus ran down the road. Joshua the Giant Frog saw a truck coming and as fast as a cheetah, he flicked out his tongue and grabbed Seamus and pulled him to safety."Thank you," said Seamus, flicking the warm frog slobber from his cheek. "I guess frogs are not so bad after all."The End.
Joshua Visits Wales, NY
by the 3rd grades at Wales Primary
The bus pulled up in front of school and dozens of children piled out.
"I can't wait to go to Niagara Falls," said Emma."Boom, Boom, BOOM!" The earth shook. "What's going on?" asked Josh.The sky grew dark and CRASH, Joshua landed on top of the bus. "Oh no!" Lucas cried. "Now we can't go on our fieldtrip."Joshua looked at all the sad faces and had an idea. He bent low and flat.Lauren said, "Climb on. Joshua will take us."So they all climbed on his back and as fast as lightning Joshua the Giant Frog leaped as high as a sky scraper. They landed just in time to get on the Maid of the Mist.The End!
Joshua Goes To Oakfield
by 3rd graders at Oakfield-Alabama ElementarySchool
Nick squinted up at the bright sun as he galloped to school. His class was going on a field trip. The bus was already waiting in the driveway.
Suddenly the earth shook, and Nick heard a big, "GARRUMPH!" Joshua the giant frog landed "CRUNCH!" right on the bus.
"That was a close call," said Steve the bus driver as he came out of school.
"Oh my gosh!" said Alexa. "Now we can't go."
Joshua had an idea. He kicked the bus out of the way and crouched down low.
"Climb on everybody," Nick said.
And they hopped off to Niagara Falls.
THE END
Joshua Saves the Day
by 4th graders at Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School
The summer breeze tickled the dandelions in the field. Farmer Haily searched the horizon for her friend who promised to help on the farm.
The earth shook. A shadow fell over the earth. Joshua had arrived.
A fuzzy rabbit nibbling on the crops looked up and hollered, "YIKES! That's the biggest frog I've ever seen."
Farmer Haily picked herself up off the ground and moaned, "Oh, my beautiful field!"
It was flattened. All the potato crops were mashed. Farmer Haily cried, "I'm ruined."
But Joshua had an idea. He hopped over to Lamb's farm and with his tongue as fast as lightening flicked out and grabbed a cow.
Back at the field he squeezed the cow and mixed the milk and butter with the potatoes.
Farmer Haily invited everyone in town to come for dinner. "Thank you, Joshua!" she said.
THE END!
Joshua Visits South Buffalo Charter School
by the 2nd and 3rd graders at SBCS
Jackie grumbled as Erin bumped into her and didn’t say, “Sorry.” Jayden wouldn’t share his lunch with Hayley. Everybody was grumpy! No one had slept all night. Just as Brittany was going to tell on Justin, the windows rattled. They heard, “Boom, Boom, BOOM!”Danny ran outside to see what was happening, Katie hid under her desk, and Malik yelled, “Be quiet!”But the noise grew louder. Joshua peeked into a classroom window. “Hey, it’s Joshua.” Everybody cheered. Tori had a great idea. “Let’s slide down his back.” Everyone lined up and took turns, and helped each other climb up. No one was grumpy anymore.The End
Joshua Visits SBCS
by the 4th and 5th graders of SBCS
The ice hung thickly from Asia’s nose as she walked to school through 2 feet of snow. Just when she thought she couldn’t take one more step, she heard, “Boom, Boom, BOOM!”Her friend Elizabeth gasped. Trevor screamed, “AHHH,” as Joshua landed right in front of school. A brick fell off. Then another. Soon the whole wall was tumbling down. Everyone shivered as the snow drifted in. As fast as the speed of light, Joshua flicked out his tongue and covered all the shivering children with warm gooey slobber.The End
Student's Stories
During school visits I like to write with students to model good writing techniques – Setting the scene, creating characters, constructing a conflict and finding a way for Joshua the Giant Frog to save the day. Then we exaggerate, stretch the truth and show the action unfold.
In the process, the kids get to see that I make mistakes, cross out words, and sometimes have to check my spelling. Within fifteen minutes and with everyone’s suggestions, we manage to write a “sloppy copy.” After I leave, the teachers and students can then revise the stories and make them better adding more detail, dialogue and action.
