Teaching Writing: Children

Lesson 2: Teaching Narration

Teaching Ideas

Memoirs

A good way for students to practice narration is by writing a memoir. This is a real story about a time that they did something they will always remember.

Begin by having each child brainstorm events in his life that he feels were memorable. You may need to model this for the students. Have students list five or six events and then narrow the choice down to the one event can remember most clearly, or the one they find most interesting.

Once an idea has been chosen, make use of story maps or graphic organizers to be sure that students are including all of the story elements. Allow time for writing and be sure to set aside some time for sharing. These pieces of writing can be brought to the final copy stage, or they can just be used to demonstrate the skill of narration.

Choose Those Elements

Try this idea for getting students started on fictional narratives. Make three containers out of coffee cans or boxes or even some pretty gift bags. Label them Characters, Settings, and Events. Write topics for each container on separate index cards and put them in their respective boxes. Walk around the classroom with each box and let different students draw cards for two characters, one setting, and three events. List those elements on your chart or chalkboard in a simple story map. Leave the problem and solution sections blank for now.

Instruct your students to write a story using those elements. You may want to have them use a story map first to outline their details. Students will all be working with the same characters, setting, and events, but the stories will all be different. Allow one or two class periods for this activity depending upon the level of your class.

When stories are completed, have volunteers share with the class. As each story is read, have the other students listen for the problem and the solution in each story. You may want to make a list of these on your story map on your easel. This is a good way for students to see the variations. Discuss how these elements differ, and stress that although some elements of the story are the same for everyone, the differences in these two elements account for the variety in the stories.

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