Abstract:

One way to become a better narrative writer is to listen to and read other narrative stories. Narrative writing is writing that tells a story. Narrative stories that engage the reader have certain elements – interesting beginning, event that is important or significant to the author, dialogue, emotions, and a closing that brings all the elements of the story together.

Students will listen to narratives and or read narrative texts from the Library of Congress and StoryCorps( A nationwide initiative of Sound Portraits Productions to record and collect oral history inteviews.) collections. Specific narratives will be presented to illustrate the elements of narrative writing. Students will learn about each element as they write narratives during Writers’ Workshop.

Teacher's Guide - Lesson Plans and Evaluation/Assessment - Links to Lessons and Evaluation/Assessment at the bottom of the page.

Objectives:

Students will listen to and or read examples of narrative elements.

Students will listen to and or read examples of narrative stories and identify the essential elements.

Students will write their own narratives incorporating the essential elements of narrative writing. This will be completed during Writers' Workshop.

Students will share their writing with others and revise their stories improving their ability to write engaging stories.

Students will “publish” one piece of writing and post it the web site.

Time Required:

Approximately one month will be required to complete the narrative study. Tell Me A Story... outlines six craft lessons in the essential elements of narrative writing.

Note: Lessons are to be taught as mini-lessons during Writers' Workshop. (A Powerpoint presentation of Writers' Workshop and the writing process.)

Recommended Level : Grades 3 through 5.

Curriculum Fit:

Illinois Learning Standards:

Language Arts - Write to communicate...- State Goal 3

3.A.2 - Write paragraphs that include a variety of sentence types; appropriate use of the eight parts of speech; and accurate spelling and punctuation.

3.B.2a - Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies (e.g., mapping, outlining, drafting.)

3.B.2b - Establish central idea, organization, elaboration and unity in relation to purpose and audience.

3.B.2c - Expand idea by using modifiers, subordination and standard paragraph organization.

3.B.2d - Edit documents for clarity, subjectivity, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and verb tense; proofread for spelling, capitalization and punctuation; and ensure documents are formatted in final form for submission and or publication.

3.C.2a - Write for a variety of purposes and for specified audiences in a variety of forms including narrative (e.g., fiction, autobiography), expository (e.g., reports, essays) and persuasive writings (e.g., editorials, advertisements).

3.C.2b - Produce and format compositions for specified audiences using available technology.

Language Arts - Listen and speak effectively.... - State Goal 4

4.A.2a - Demonstrate understanding of the listening process (e.g., sender, receiver,message) by summarizing and paraphrasing spoken messages orally and in writing in formal and informal situations.

4.A.1b - Ask and respond to questions related to oral presentations and messages in small and large group settings.

ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS*S)

Standard 2 - Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Standard 3 - Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Standard 3 - Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Standard 4 - Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to mulitple audiences.

Standard 5 - Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

Teacher’s Guide- Lesson Plans-Tell Me A Story...

Lesson One: Introduction to Narrative Writing

Lesson Two: Essential Element of Writing about a Significant Event

Lesson Three: Essential Element of Dialogue

Lesson Four: Essential Element of Emotions

Lesson Five: Essential Element of Engaging Beginnings

Lesson Six: Essential Element of Closings

Evaluation and Assessment

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