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Resources
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Narrative writing is basic |
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Writers need a balance of both. From writing about what they know, authors build fluency, confidence and vocabulary. From on-demand writing, students get ready for tests and even work-related tasks.
For our state assessment, I teach test writing as a genre. We look at how to read a prompt, think, quickly select an appropriate and entertaining topic, sketch a plan, write bit-by-bit, reread and revise as needed. The students and I assess the papers according to our state rubric. I then teach a week of test writing leading up to one of our benchmark exams and use the test to see if the students learned what I taught. Or, I give the test and assess what students need to know. In that case, I teach test writing for a week or two after the benchmark assessment.
We study test writing about 10% of our time.
The rest of our writing workshop is devoted to studying other genres. Once a student thinks she's a writer, I can show her how to use her skills to pass tests. Practicing test writing over and over is boring and, worse, discouraging, because it is hard for many students to quickly move up on the rubric. Be sure to read "Introducing a Writer's Life" (right margin) for suggestions that help writers find their own topics. Within a couple weeks, learners should stop asking,” What should I write?"
Writing units available for you to download
To help you get started on creating narrative writing units, I share some of my favorite lessons. Download packets (right sidebar) on several topics including:
- Introducing the daybook,
- Writing leads,
- Acting to find lapses in writing,
- Adding the right kind of details to a story, and
- Endings.
A resource for people passionate about helping students write well, compiled by Karen Haag
Narrative writing is a critical building block for all writing. Younger students learn to tell stories that move through time logically so that readers can visualize what's happening. The best writers create a mood and weave a theme, or inner story, into their story. During these early years, students take first steps toward creating their personal styles. The students accomplish this by analyzing published works and classmates' selections and then trying on different personalities until finally finding their own.
As writers mature, they use stories as examples to support their persuasive points and arguments. Even research writing is often told through story. Authors open with anecdotes that capture readers' hearts and minds. Short, narrative bits transition the reader into the transactional writing in a way that is natural and entertaining.
We study test writing as a genre
In North Carolina, fourth graders write personal or imaginative narratives for state tests. If students write whatever they want all year without response, they don't do well on the test. If students only address prompts, they don't perform well, either.
A collection of lessons and homework assignments to help students begin to realize that each of them is truly a writer. Topics include:
- Introducing a very important tool for writers, the Daybook.
- Using partners to improve.
- Ways to find topics.
In this lesson, students explore how writers are both alike and different. The focus is on what makes writing easier. In addition, students discover many topics for narrative stories.
Children are natural story-tellers. These lessons engage students and their families and friends in finding great stories for their writing. Topics include:
- Telling stories to your family.
- Telling stories to friends (and becoming good responders.)
- Freewriting – Like exploring those boxes in your attic.
These lessons help students to:
- Discover the importance of having a story plan, and how to make one.
- Explore the power of descriptive words.
- Find places in their stories to S-T-R-E-T-C-H their details.
In this lesson, students name different kinds of endings authors use. They also discuss, not the last paragraph, but the last line: the "clincher."
Story leads are crucial to good writing. These lessons help students see why. In these lessons, students:
- Compare clincher endings to leads.
- Cast their vote for the best leads, and discuss the winners.
- Study the teacher's own writing and revisions.
This form provides students and teacher with a clear check list for reviewing each piece of personal or imaginative narrative writing. The form also can serve as a guide as students write.
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Problem with downloads? Please Click Here and send an email to Karen so we can fix the problem. Thanks. |
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Free lessons and handouts to download
Click on the titles to download free lesson plans and handouts on narrative writing
Bring out details
The lesson plans available here to download will help your students explore such key writing steps as organizing, adding details, crafting strong leads and endings.
NARRATIVE TIPS
The best writers create a mood and weave a theme, or inner story, into their writing. By studying other authors including their classmates’ writing, they develop a personal style.