Martina McBride “Independence Day”
Well she seemed alright by dawn's early light
Though she looked a lil worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinking again
But Daddy left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day...
Well, word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
But Momma was proud, and she stood her ground
She knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered, some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day...
Let freedom ring
Let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is the day of a reckoning
Let the weak be strong
Let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away
Let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day
Well, she lit up the sky that Fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They just put out the flames and took down some names
and sent me to the county home
Now I ain't sayin' it's right, or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day...
Let freedom ring
Let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is the day of a reckoning
Let the weak be strong
Let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away
let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day
Roll the stone away...
It's Independence Day...
Directions:
1. PRE-WRITING: Fill in the correct story elements on the graphic organizer while
listening to “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. For example: Under
setting, write July 4th.
2. WRITE: Use your filled in graphic organizer to write a narrative in paragraph
form about the events that take place in this song (at least 3 paragraphs 4-6
sentences in each).
**Remember to be as descriptive and entertaining as possible! “The more I snore,
the lower you score.”
3. SHARE: Let’s share your narratives!
4. While viewing the power point, write down the definition under each category of
the story element. Use the back where there is a blank graphic organizer.
5. REVISE: Use your definitions for elements in a short story while you revise
your narrative. (Don’t re-write; just add to it with a red/blue pen). When revising,
make sure you include ALL these elements. For example: If you believe there is
a dynamic character, make sure your story shows a change in this character from
the beginning to the end.
6. FINAL DRAFT: Re-write your story for finalizations. (This means no crossed
out words; you will be graded on neatness).
7. You should have 15 story elements in your written narrative. Highlight all 15
elements and write out the story element that you are showing in the margin.
Turn in:
1. Graphic Organizer with story elements (All space must be filled in).
2. First Draft with revisions
3. Final Story with highlights
4. Self-Assessed Rubric?
Story Writing : Independence Day Story
Teacher Name: S Birdsong
Student Name:
________________________________________
4
3
2
1
Neatness
The final draft of
the story is
readable, clean,
neat and
attractive. It is
free of erasures
and crossed-out
words. It looks
like the author
took great pride
in it.
The final draft of
the story is
readable, neat
and attractive. It
may have one or
two erasures, but
they are not
distracting. It
looks like the
author took some
pride in it.
The final draft of
the story is
readable and
some of the
pages are
attractive. It looks
like parts of it
might have been
done in a hurry.
The final draft is
not neat or
attractive. It looks
like the student
just wanted to get
it done and didn't
care what it
looked like.
Characters
The main
characters are
named and
clearly described
in text as well as
pictures. Most
readers could
describe the
characters
accurately.
The main
characters are
named and
described. Most
readers would
have some idea
of what the
characters looked
like.
The main
characters are
named. The
reader knows
very little about
the characters.
It is hard to tell
who the main
characters are.
Problem/Conflict
It is very easy for
the reader to
understand the
problem the main
characters face
and why it is a
problem. An
internal or
external conflict
is obvious to the
reader.
It is fairly easy for
the reader to
understand the
problem the main
characters face
and why it is a
problem.
It is fairly easy for
the reader to
understand the
problem the main
characters face
but it is not clear
why it is a
problem.
It is not clear
what problem the
main characters
face. There is no
internal or
external conflict
stated.
Setting
Many vivid,
descriptive words
are used to tell
when and where
the story took
place.
Some vivid,
descriptive words
are used to tell
the audience
when and where
the story took
place.
The reader can
figure out when
and where the
story took place,
but the author
didn't supply
much detail.
The reader has
trouble figuring
out when and
where the story
took place.
The solution to
the character's
problem is easy
to understand,
and is somewhat
logical. There is
somewhat of a
theme in this
The solution to
the character's
problem is a little
hard to
understand. The
theme is hard to
understand.
No solution is
attempted or it is
impossible to
understand.
There is no
theme stated.
CATEGORY
Solution/Resolution/Theme The solution to
the character's
problem is easy
to understand,
and is logical.
There are no
loose ends.
There is a theme
stated in this
story.
story.
Creativity
The story
contains many
creative details
and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the
reader's
enjoyment. The
author has really
used his
imagination.
The story
contains a few
creative details
and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the
reader's
enjoyment. The
author has used
his imagination.
The story
contains a few
creative details
and/or
descriptions, but
they distract from
the story. The
author has tried
to use his
imagination.
Accuracy of Facts
All facts
presented in the
story are
accurate from the
song.
Almost all facts
presented in the
story are
accurate.
Most facts
There are several
presented in the factual errors in
story are
the story.
accurate (at least
70%).
All materials are turned in
I have turned in
the graphic
organizer with
story elements
(All space must
be filled in). The
first draft with
revisions, and
final story with
highlights, and
Self-Assessed
Rubric are turned
in
I have turned in
the graphic
organizer with
story elements
and most of
space must is
filled in. The first
draft with some
revisions, and
final story with
highlights, and
Self-Assessed
Rubric are turned
in.
I have turned in
the graphic
organizer with
story elements
and some of
space is filled in.
The first draft has
few revisions,
and final story
with highlights,
and SelfAssessed Rubric
are turned in.
I have turned in
the graphic
organizer with
story elements
and few of the
spaces are filled
in. The first draft
has no revisions,
and final story
with highlights,
and SelfAssessed Rubric
are turned in.
Elements are highlighted
14-15 elements
are highlighted
with the element
written out in the
margin.
11-13 elements
are highlighted
with the element
written out in the
margin.
8-10 elements
are highlighted
with the element
written out in the
margin.
4-7 elements are
highlighted with
the element
written out in the
margin.
Action
Several action
verbs (active
voice) are used
to describe what
is happening in
the story. The
story seems
exciting! Rising
action and Falling
action are in the
story.
Several action
verbs are used to
describe what is
happening in the
story, but the
word choice
doesn't make the
story as exciting
as it could be.
The rising action
and falling action
are somewhat
there.
A variety of verbs
(passive voice)
are used and
describe the
action accurately
but not in a very
exciting way. The
rising action and
falling action are
not clear.
Little variety seen
in the verbs that
are used. The
story seems a
little boring.
There is no rising
action or falling
action, just a
conflict stated.
There is little
evidence of
creativity in the
story. The author
does not seem to
have used much
imagination.