{"id":31,"date":"2015-05-31T05:52:30","date_gmt":"2015-05-31T05:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coverstory.wpengine.com\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2026-04-14T18:59:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:59:14","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/clearwaterpress.com\/coverstory\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Cover Story"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1526938377952{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”]Cover Story<\/b>\u00a0takes middle school students on a guided tour through the universe of Story. Through the process of creating the content for their own magazine in a single school year, students are led, step by step, on a fun, thought-provoking journey of exploration and creation. They write\u00a0poems, short stories, non-fiction articles, letters, and many other short pieces.<\/b>\u00a0They also learn to journal every day by following the creative structure of\u00a0The Remarkable Journal of Professor Gunther Von Steuben<\/em><\/b>. Along the way, they study not just a story’s form, but its execution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Award Winning author\u00a0Daniel Schwabauer<\/a><\/b>, creator of the\u00a0One\u00a0Year Adventure Novel<\/a><\/i>, opens up classic short stories, historic letters and poems, and his own insight into the writing life to reveal the process behind the page.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525233414757{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”]\n

Your student will write<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u2022\u00a0<\/span>creative non-fiction articles<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0<\/span>letters
\n\u2022\u00a0<\/span>poetry<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0<\/span>short stories<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0<\/span>blog posts<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0<\/span>and much more<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

. . . and likely enjoy doing it!<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”880″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”http:\/\/clearwaterpress.com\/coverstory\/about\/reviews\/”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1524190710917{margin-bottom: 25px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #0178c4 !important;}”]Course Philosophy:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525233806914{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”]Reluctant writers like to ask,\u00a0“What’s the point of writing?”<\/i> Parents and teachers sometimes answer pragmatically, with statements like, “Writing is an extension of thinking,” or “Writing is a skill that will serve you your whole life,” or “Good writing skills will help you get a better job.”<\/p>\n

Mr. S. prefers to answer that question with a question: “What do you think the point of writing should be?” Or, to put it another way, “What do you want to write about?”<\/p>\n

The question is not whether or not students should be required to write. The question is why they should care.\u00a0Cover Story<\/b>\u00a0turns the question around and lets students discover the answer.<\/p>\n

Students are far more motivated to write when they choose their own subject and goals. Rather than assign topics a child has no interest in, (“Today we’re going to write a five paragraph theme about mollusks! isn’t that great?”)\u00a0Cover Story<\/b>\u00a0allows students the freedom of choosing a theme for their magazine, and a subject for each assignment. This approach gives the structure and guidance they need to understand the principles in each lesson, but allows them to create from passion rather than pressure.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1524192928458{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #0178c4 !important;}”]Creating content for their own magazine gives students:<\/em><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1524198537418{margin-right: 1px !important;margin-left: 1px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1524191050208{background-color: rgba(30,88,188,0.26) !important;*background-color: rgb(30,88,188) !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525233937258{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]PRACTICE:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Short-form writing, including entries in a daily journal, helps students to master the basics of writing more quickly. This in turn makes creative writing more and more enjoyable.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1524192317302{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: rgba(0,201,110,0.25) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,201,110) !important;}”][vc_column_text]FOCUS:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Short-form creative pieces (short stories, letters, poetry, etc.) and frequently changing units keep students engaged in the process of learning.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1525233902593{background-color: rgba(255,178,0,0.21) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,178,0) !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525234165650{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]DEPTH:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Cover Story<\/em> challenges students to think deeply about what they read and write.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1524198663651{margin-right: 1px !important;margin-left: 1px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1525232866310{background-color: rgba(255,119,0,0.21) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,119,0) !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525234233640{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]MOTIVATION:<\/strong><\/span>
\nLessons draw on the student’s own interests.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1525234015404{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: rgba(24,155,188,0.26) !important;*background-color: rgb(24,155,188) !important;}”][vc_column_text]FUN:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>We don\u2019t want to reveal ALL the surprises, but rumor has it that Mr. S. smashes a tomato on-screen, sentences himself (while dressed as a judge), and generally assaults the idea that English is the exclusive domain of the pompous.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1525233878201{background-color: rgba(198,70,19,0.25) !important;*background-color: rgb(198,70,19) !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1525234282968{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]SATISFACTION:<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Your student will end the year with a greater understanding of writing concepts, new tools to use in writing endeavors, and an impressive array of magazine content.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1524035499561{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #0178c4 !important;}”]Curriculum Includes:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_row_inner remove_bottom_col_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]\n

Video Lessons<\/strong><\/span>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]\n

Textbook<\/strong><\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]\n

Teacher’s Guide<\/span>
\n<\/strong>\"\"<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]\n

+ The Journal<\/h1>\n

Included in the kit is a copy of The Remarkable Journal of Professor Gunther Von Steuben<\/strong><\/em>. This is the book in which students will write journal entries every day. But it is no ordinary book! Copied on its pages are the handwritten notes of Professor Von Steuben himself\u2014a man of mystery, intrigue and profound insight into the nature of the world and its inhabitants. Students are encouraged to complete what Von Steuben began, and answer the questions that linger since his inexplicable disappearance\u2026.<\/p>\n

Grammar Component<\/h1>\n

Twelve\u00a0additional video lessons<\/i><\/b>\u00a0on grammar are included in the set. The grammar component is optional<\/strong>, and designed to be used as needed to supplement the other instructional materials.
\nCover Story<\/em>‘s approach to grammar de-emphasizes memorization of latinate terms and emphasizes true comprehension.<\/p>\n

Mr. S.<\/b>\u00a0teaches the practical application of grammar as a tool for self-expression and a necessary part of communication. Grammar isn’t the point. Story is the point. When students understand how grammar can help them achieve their own goals, even things like direct objects and predicates become more interesting.<\/p>\nSample Lessons<\/span><\/a> [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1668109971062{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]\n

\"\"<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text color=”#ffffff” css=”.vc_custom_1524034324725{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #0178c4 !important;}”]Benefits:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1524053900718{background-color: rgba(255,247,226,0.88) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,247,226) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1628586473879{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]\n