Try This Game with Grades 3-5

Fortunately/Unfortunately

The writer Remy Charlip wrote a classic children's book called "Fortunately", in which one good even happens, followed by its unfortunate opposite.  The book opens with, "Fortunately one day, Ned got a letter that said, 'Please Come to a Surprise Party,' But unfortunately the party was in Florida and he was in New York."  You do not need the book to play this game, but it's more fun if you first read it together.  Each person playing the game receive one sheet of paper.  Write in large letters at the top of a sheet of paper "Fortunately."  On the reverse side, write "Unfortunately."  Talk with your child about a trip he or she has always wanted to take like Disney World, across Canada by bicycle, to the moon, etc.  Help your child think of a first sentence about the trip, starting with something like, "Fortunately, we won the lottery.  Our whole family decided to buy bicycles and ride across Canada.  Mom quit her job."  Write the "Fortunately" sentences.  The pass each paper to the other player.  Turn it over and write the "Unfortunately" part.  For example, "Unfortunately, it rained every day, and our bicycles rusted."  If your child wants to play more, you can either make new Fortunately/Unfortunately sheets or you can draw a line under the first part and continue the story.  Number each part on the front and back, so you can read the finished stories out loud more easily.  Remember, this is not the time to fuss about spelling.  If it's easier for your child with LD, let her/him dictate to you.  Your role is to help your reluctant writer communicate his/her ideas to the world.