Desiree's Baby

Introduction

Picture yourself living on a plantation in Louisiana in the year 1835. What would life be like? How would society operate? What sort of life would you live?

We will be reading "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin. This short story explores the dark nature of racism, sexism, and Louisiana culture before the Civil War.

 

Task

After reading the story, you will be writing a narrative in order to extend the story's ending. You have control over what happens next in the story.

Your final product must include:

  • 3-5 paragraphs

  • Tell the story from the original story's point-of-view

  • A story-line that is appropriate to pre-Civil War culture

  • Dialogue among the characters.

Feel free to create characters of your own to generate additional interest in the story.

Step 1:

Read "Desiree's Baby" and take notes on a blank sheet of paper making note of the main events of the story. Be sure to also write down any questions you may have throughout the story and write down unknown words to look up later.

 

Step 2:

Once you have read the story, watch the video on how to create an extended ending to a story.

 

Below are links to the information that you will need for this assignment.

Link to "Desiree's Baby"

https://www.owleyes.org/text/desirees-baby/read/desirees-baby-1

 

"Desiree's Baby" audiobook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnI9sYRLTY

 

How to write an extended ending video

https://www.tes.com/lessons/F5eMQTb8IJCThw/writing-narrative-extended-endings



 

Process

Step 3:

Brain storm all of your ideas for the extended ending. Remember to reflect on how Armand may be feeling at the end of the story. Draw from the main characters' emotions in order to write a realistic ending. Please be sure to stay within the setting and time period of the original story.

Once all of your ideas are written down, take out a blank sheet of paper and create this chart:

Extended Ending Narrative Organizer
Who will be in the ending?  
What will happen?  
When will it happen?  
Where will it happen?  
Why will it happen?  
How will it happen?  

Step 4:

Create a rough draft with 3-5 paragraphs telling your audience what happens next in the story. Be sure to continue writing from the same point-of-view as the original story.

 

Step 5:

When your rough draft is completed, let a partner read over your story and have them provide feedback. After receiving feedback, work on your final draft. Please re-read your story and make changes where necessary.

 

Step 6:

Submit your final draft in a google doc to Google Classroom. Please make sure that your name and the date are on your final draft.

 

Evaluation

Below is a link to the grading rubric for your narrative writing task. These are the components that I will looking for when grading your final draft.

https://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/assessment-guidance/leap-2025-grades-6-8-narrative-writing-task-rubric.pdf?sfvrsn=2

 

Reflection:

Write a 1 paragraph reflection on your narrative assignment. Tell me what you think you did well and the areas that you feel that you have room to improve. Be honest in your evaluation. Your honest evaluation will help me coach you in the areas where you want assistance.

 

 

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your narrative writing task! You have made it to the finish line. What was the message or the theme that you communicated through your narrative writing task?

 

Are you interested in creating more stories of your own or learning more about Kate Chopin?

Check out these resources:

https://www.thewritersworkshop.net/about-us/narrative-writing-techniques/

https://ece.emory.edu/catalogDetail.php?CatalogID=600

https://www.katechopin.org/

Credits

Teacher Page

This WebQuest was created by Caressa Deramus.