End-of-Year Short Story Project Based on Multiple Intelligences for Middle School ELA

 

By the time May rolls around, my middle schoolers are done. They're dreaming of summer break, and honestly, so am I. But we still have standards to hit and skills to strengthen—especially when it comes to research, note-taking, and literary analysis.

That’s why I created the Multiple Intelligences Short Story Project—a differentiated, student-centered activity that turns the last weeks of school into a showcase of learning, creativity, and collaboration.

It all starts with a quick multiple intelligences quiz. Students discover their learning strengths and are grouped accordingly. From there, they choose a short story to explore deeply—through summarizing, note-taking, plot mapping, and guided research—all while preparing for a culminating event we call the Student Forum.

At the Forum, each group presents its findings at a table complete with a brochure, visuals, and real discussions with peers and guest visitors. It’s academic, engaging, and, best of all, meaningful.

Why This Short Story Project Works at the End of the Year

Teachers are tired. Students are restless. But learning still matters.

First of all, this project revolves around short stories such as "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant.  Short stories are perfect for the end of the year because they are, well, short. They seem more accessible because of their length.  And these days, you can find audio for them rather easily, too!  Plus, they pack a powerful educational punch in less than 20 pages.

Secondly, project-based learning gives students choices.  Anytime students have a choice, they are much more engaged.  They feel invested because they made the decision to do the assignment.  Combine that choice with group work, and now every middle school student is "in".  

But just because the stories are short and students get to choose, doesn't mean it's not rigorous.  The projects require work with essential skills such as:

1.  Plot elements

2.  Summarizing

3.  Note-Taking

4.  Research

5.  Public Speaking

What's great about project-based learning is that it channels student energy into creativity and collaboration.  This is because students work together and create something new to put on full display at the Student Forum.  And it's a purposeful way to end the year where parents can be invited to celebrate their students' learning.

How the Short Story Project Works: Step-by-Step Overview 

The Student Forum is a culmination of reading and writing exploration as a result of these steps:

1.  Students take a multiple intelligences assessment.

2.  Students are grouped by their intelligence strengths.

3.  Each group chooses a short story from my list.

4.  I teach summary skills.

5.  Each individual in the group reads the story and creates a summary.

6.  I teach plot diagrams.

7. Each group creates a plot diagram of their story.

8.  I teach group work skills (including attentive listening)

9.  I meet with each group and give them 2 project choices based on their strength.

10.  Groups choose a project and then individual roles for the project.

11.  I teach research.

12.  Each member of the team completes research about the story and/or author that relates to their project and turns in an individual report.

13.  Students use the information from their reports to create the group project.

14. Students plan and practice their presentations.

15. We hold the Student Forum, where each group sets up a table and presents their work.

There are a few more details (like what each group brings to the presentation and what will be created), but this is the basic outline. Students practice reading, writing, research, and presentation skills all in the space of one month. It's powerful to see how the students blossom and get into their projects. It's equally as fantastic to be a true facilitator by presenting the information and then watching the students take that and apply it to their projects.  

It's taken me years to pull all of this together and every year I feel like it gets better. Get this month-long all-in-one solution (with FOUR PowerPoints, Notes, Checklists, and EDITABLE Lesson Plans) for your end of year project right here:

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