Students at Seward Elementary School submitted 466 six word novels to the third annual six word novel event. There were also 32 adult entries. The novels are displayed throughout the elementary school and students frequently read them as they pass through the hallways on their way from here to there.
Agusta Lind, Seward’s Quest teacher initiated the six word novel event during the 2009-2010 school year after learning about six word novels. A six word novel tells a story using only six words. The words represent more than just six words, they hint at a past and a future. Some great examples of this are “He found the thing that smiled,” written by Justin McMurrary, 2012; “Bob, that is not a dragon,” by Michael Walker, 2010; and “Meet music, his name is George,” by Julia Davenport, 2011.
“The six word novel competition is one of the few school wide events we have at Seward Elementary where every student can get involved,” Terri McKnight, sixth grade teacher—and awesome 6 word novel author—stated about the event. “All the kids really get involved not only writing the novels, but reading them.”
“I love that all of the students are reading the novels and talking about their favorites. I also get excited to see parents and other adults who come into the building stop to read the novels,” reports Ms. Lind. One of the purposes of the event is to get students writing, the other is to get students reading. The six word novel competition certainly accomplishes that.
Students, staff and parents voted on their favorite six word novels the results are recorded below.
Seward Elementary’s Favorite 6 Word Novels 2012
By Grade Level
Kindergarten
I like my mom so much! Zach Hustman
First Grade
The little squirrels ate big nuts. Emily Mitchell
Batman hit someone with his lasso. Nathan Hankins
My dog made a big mess. Alexie Wayne
The lake is sparkling and shining. Emily Mitchell
No more buildings. No more animals. Sam McLain
Second Grade
My pet banana is very gassy. Ozzy Deel
My name is @#%^&?! Crazy blop. Paxton Hill
I got a fat pig yesterday! Alexi Walker
A fat pig sat on apple. Soren O’Brien
My annoying orange is very annoying. Connor Williams
Hi my name is Old Lady. Porter Rockwell
I work good at school today. Emery Zinis
I eat food off the floor. Porter Rockwell
I like chocolate and vanilla cupcakes! Kiana Vesel
I take showers in the kitchen. Porter Rockwell
Third Grade
I play zombie games every day. Matthias Wood
I forgot my six word novel. Annika Rae Nilsson
Layla is my BFF for ever. Emily Unrein
I love my zombie a lot. James Milburn
I am late to school because… Hannah Schilling
The walking dead will take over. Tommy Cronin
Family is love. Love is priceless. Wren Dougherty
I need candy candy candy, hyper! Sailor Terry
You get what you get alien. Luke Gunter
Love is fine. Love is careful. Destiny Walker
Fourth Grade
The Dragon vs tree: Ouch! Splinter!!! Marisa Phasomsap
Love is in the air, forever. Leilani Lackey
Best friends forever love your friend. Leilani lackey
This is Bob. Bob got squished. Nick Karakokonok
I’m allergic to school…especially today. Collin Mullaly
I belly flopped a king salmon! Gordon Arca
Talent doesn’t matter in my world. Malia Hewitt
Ouch! That hair just bit me. Max Pfeiffenberger
I am so allergic to boys. Katelyn Sawyer-Lemme
My heart speaks to your heart. Angel Purigay
Fifth Grade
No more homework save the trees! Maggie Adkins
Mrs. McKnight VS zombies who will win? Daisy Terry
A tank blew up my homework. Ethan Forbis
Super model stranded on Zombie Island. Heidi Swearingen
Zombies, caution you’re going to die. Gabriel Wood
WASABI! Dude you’re not a Ninja. Ian Beals & Hayley Unrein
Santa needs to trim his nails. Madilyn Moore
French toasted zombies are taking over! Shelly Sewell
Don’t trust Santa. He likes cookies! Malaya Wallace
I’m scared of the cookie monster. Ryan Miller
Sixth Grade
Diet Coke = Chocolate = Money = Mrs. McKnight Ashley Jackson
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, CRAZY Maggie Adkins & Meghan Mullaly
School is a place for daydreaming. Coral Petrosius
“FAB” is out of this world!!! Ashley Jackson
The snack that smiles back, goldfish. Coral Petrosius
It always seems like dolphins hiccup. Coral Petrosius
Bullies are just very sad people. James Helberg
Everybody dies, but not everybody lives. Riley von Borstel
Friends don’t let friends fade away. Ellanore DeFreest
Cinderella are you really that happy? Amanda Nguyen
Adult Entries
It snowed last night, NO SCHOOL! Mr. Kingsland
Duct tape is allowed at school! Mrs. McKnight
My FAB 5/6: Gotta Love ‘Em! Mrs. Fabian
At the end, there’s the beginning. Mr. Fraad
Stop the abuse! No more HOMEWORK! Mrs. DeBoard
Writing six word novels is fun! Mrs. DeBoard
Blissfully dreaming. Alarm RINGS! BOO reality. Mrs. Fabian
Not all frogs like being kissed! Val McHone
Who’s your daddy, who’s your daddy! Val McHone
Please stay off of the doorstops! Carl Lock
Overall Favorites
It snowed last night, NO SCHOOL! Mr. Kingsland
Diet Coke = Chocolate = Money = Mrs. McKnight Ashely Jackson
No more homework, save the trees! Maggie Adkins
Chocloate, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, CRAZY Maggie Adkins & Meghan Mullaly
Mrs. McKnight VS zombies who will win? Daisy Terry
The Dragon vs tree: Ouch! Splinter!!! Marisa Phasomsap
Duct tape is allowed at school! Mrs. McKnight
I’m allergic to school…especially today. Collin Mullaly
Love is in the air, forever. Leilani Lackey
A tank blew up my homework. Ethan Forbis
Thank you to Agusta Lind, Quest Facilitator, Hope and Moose Pass Schools, Seward ELementary and Seward Middle School for providing this article and the photos.
