How to Write a Short Story for Second Grade
Reading is one of the most important and rewarding things a child can do. It stimulates a developing brain, and helps parents and children develop closer emotional bonds. Perhaps you want to write a children's book for second graders, or write a short story for a second-grade child of your own. You can, by using creativity and imagination; tailoring your piece to the child's age; and using the story to develop the child's vocabulary.
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Instructions
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Write a basic storyline for the short story. Second grade children are typically seven years old, and should be able to follow along with a setting and plot in a short story, so do not make the story too simple or it may turn out to be too easy and even boring for the child. Write your story with a beginning, middle and end, and with an obvious outcome, such as a task being completed or a character learning something.
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Create fun, interesting characters. At this age, children are usually more interested in cartoon or animated characters that are intriguing and easy to follow along, rather than more mature story characters. A child this young wants to see characters to whom he can relate; make the characters around the same age as him, so he can perceive them as people he could be friends with and connect with in real life.
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Write using words the child will understand, overall, but use a few that stretches the child's vocabulary. By the second grade, a child should manage reading at a basic level and be able to read words more effortlessly, so use basic words they have already mastered; always, around, found, green and sleep are a few examples. Place names like Pennsylvania, and the names of unusual animals like aardvark, are examples of words which the child likely does not know, but will be interested to learn.
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Read books aimed at second-grade children to get ideas and help serve as a guideline for the sort of writing material you should be creating for children of this age. Most second-grade reading books are 50 pages or less, feature engaging illustrations and larger-sized text. "You Can't Rush a Cat" by Karleen Bradford, "Mattie and the Chicken Thief" by Thatcher Hurd, and all books in "The Magic School Bus" series by Joanna Cole are examples of appropriate books for second graders.
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Edit your story several times before allowing the child to read it, just as you should with any other literary work. The story must make sense and you especially want to ensure there are no misspellings of words, else the child will learn to spell or pronounce a word incorrectly.
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Tips & Warnings
The more creative and imaginative you are, the more a child will enjoy reading the story. For children at a second-grade reading level, stories should still be more about imagination and fun than about perfecting a detailed plot.
Your options for story lines and plots are endless. Stick to subjects the child can relate to, such as learning to tie their shoes, making new friends at school, helping mom and dad at home, and welcoming a baby brother or sister to the family.
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- Photo Credit Book image by anna karwowska from Fotolia.com
