1. This packet is due on:__________________________________
Name: _________________ Date: _______________ CORE: ____________
Many of Darth Tater’s field agents use gadgets to get their jobs done. Others
possess useful skills and amazing abilities. The Tater Agency works closely with
Shirley Swirley and Gumby. One of Shirley’s agents, Buster Barker uses an in-
credible gadget called the “Bone Phone.” A Tater detective asked Detective
Barker, “Hey, can you explain to me how you use that Bone Phone? I tried to
use it one day, and I couldn’t figure it out!” Buster Barker wrote out the instruc-
tions for him. See anything wrong?
How to Use the Famous Detective Bone Phone
By Buster Barker
How to use the bone phone. First, turn it on. Oh yeah, be sure to pick it up
too. Thurd, talk into the mouth piece. Fourth, talk slow. Be shure to switch
it off. And that’s how to use the bone phone.
Why do you think Mr. Tater was not please with Buster’s writing? Make a list
here. Can you match any on Mr. Tater’s list?:
1. _________________________ 6. _________________________
2. _________________________ 7. _________________________
3. _________________________ 8. _________________________
4. _________________________ 9. _________________________
5. _________________________ 10. _________________________
* Look at Mr. Taters answers, next. Add them to yours!

2. How to Use the Incredible, Amazing Bone Phone
By Buster Barker
Although using my amazing Bone Phone might seem difficult at first,
you can use it with ease by following my simple instructions. First, locate the
Bone Phone by loudly shouting the phrase, “Here little phone,” while standing
in the center of any building. Once you hear a slightly irritating beeping
noise, you’ll know you’ve found it. Because the phone is shaped like a dog
bone, you’ll have no trouble finding the little red button on one end which reads
“Speak!” Lightly press the button, and bark the name of any dog or person
into the green end of the phone. Within seconds, this incredible device will
send a signal to that individuals brain, letting them know you’re wishing to
converse. You will quickly receive an answer to your call. After you hear that
familiar “”Ruh, roh,...Rello?” in your ear, be sure to speak slowly into the bone
phone so that the recipient can process your complex message. And last, but
not least, when you’ve begun to fall asleep, you’ll know it’s time to end your
call. At that time, close your eyes, politely say “Barkbye” and the phone will
automatically disconnect. Later on, be sure to store the Bone Phone away in a
safe place, otherwise you might mistake it for a light snack.
See the difference a little effort on Buster’s part made? How can you
make the same incredible improvement? Follow these steps:
#1: Begin with a “How To” topic written in 1st person by your detective.
Choose something you know your detective will know. Examples:
1. How to Sing like a….
2. How to Carefully eat…
3. How to Fool your Master
4. How to Catch a ________ Thief
5. How to Rid Yourself of ___________
6. How to Use the Famous ___________ Gadget
7. How to Drive the ______________ Mobile
***Or feel free to think of one yourself!!!
Topic: ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

3. #2. Next, Prewrite: Visualize your paragraph.
You have probably used an outline, to prewrite. But there
are other strategies. One strategy you can use is drawing pic-
tures. Pictures can help you to see or visualize the process.
Below is an 8-step sequence. Do the following:
1. Select your topic and write it on the lines.
2. Roughly sketch pictures which would show the steps you'd
take to show how to complete your “topic.”
1.
Topic =
___________________
___________________ 2.
5. 4. 3.
6.
7. 8. Finished
Product

4. #3: Using your topic and sequence pictures, write an introduction that introduces
your topic, without saying “How to” in the sentence. You will need to write
your introduction or topic sentence on your own sheet of paper. Here are
some words to start your writing (many of them are verbs!):
Although If When Whenever
Using Catching Fooling Ridding
Driving Riding Singing Singing
Cool detectives Cookie Thieves Masters Fleas
Examples:
1. Although using my amazing Bone Phone might seem difficult at first, you can
use it with ease by following my simple instructions
2. If you’re trying to catch a cookie thief, you need the best method possible
3. Ridding yourself of fleas is easy when you follow the Buster Barker way!
4. Driving the Buster Barker Mobile involves my eight-step process.
5. Whenever my master is causing problems for me, I always use these eight
steps to keep him off my tail
6. Singing like a dog takes skill, practice, a great bark and several more impor-
tant steps.
7. Even though cookie thieves are masters of deception, we detectives can still
catch them with their hands in the cookie jar.
#4: Next, write a sentence for each of the pictures (8) you created in Step #2.
These are the supporting sentences that tell everything in order. ADD A
TRANSITION WORD from below or another you can think of.
First To begin First of all One Initially
To Start One important A good One way As soon as
Second Another Also The second
As a result At the same time Once you’ve The next best
After that Next Third Equally important
Later on Along with At that time
Last Finally Last, but not least In the end
The final step One final step When you’ve finished

5. #5: Next, write a CONCLUDING SENTENCE that leaves the audience with
something to think about, not just “And that’s how to…”. In fact, you may not
use the words “how to” in this sentence, and your sentence must not sound like
your first sentence in any way
Examples:
1. Last, but not least, be sure to pat yourself on the back for unmasking the
cookie thief, which happens to be your dad!
2. When you’ve finished your song, you might just be elected the next American
Dog Idol
3. Finally, when you’ve rid yourself of fleas, be sure to roll in the dirt outside so
you can repeat the entire process!
4. One final recommendation is to make sure you hide the empty can of dog
food under your master’s bed before he comes home!
#6: Look at your rough draft. Check over all words. Are they spelled correctly,
circle the ones you think might be misspelled or spell check them. Miss B will
only help you with words you request to have her spell.
#7: Read aloud your rough draft copy to yourself and then to a friend. Does it:
A. Sound smooth?
B. Include transition words?
C. Have no missing words?
D. Sound interesting, with voice, emotion, and opinion?
E. Have the voice of your detective?
F. Is it written in the 1st person? (I, me, we)
#8: Type your final draft in the library. Remember to give it a TITLE!
#9: Read aloud your FINAL copy to yourself Does it:
A. Sound smooth?
B. Include transition words?
C. Have no missing words?
D. Sound interesting, with voice, emotion, and opinion?
E. Have the voice of your detective?
F. Is it written in the 1st person? (I, me, we)
G. Have a proper heading?
H. Have a title?
#10. Raise your hand. Miss Bryant will give you final instructions.