How to Organize a Narrative for Third Grade
Narratives tell a story, either fictional or nonfictional, and are often based on personal experience. Third-graders can begin to become cognizant of and understand the different steps of the writing process. Sometimes called "writer's workshop," the writing process incorporates pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing and distributing. Following this process helps students with the organizational skills needed to write a structured narrative. Give students frequent opportunities to develop their narrative skills by writing paragraphs or stories both at home and at school.
Things You'll Need
- Time-line creator
- Graphic organizer website or software
- Projector or interactive whiteboard
Instructions
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Demonstrate brainstorming as part of the pre-writing process. Present a narrative topic to the class and collectively record ideas for the plot of the story. Use an interactive whiteboard or chalkboard. Allow students to practice individually.
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Create a timeline of events for the narrative collaboratively with students. Use one of several online timeline creators and an overhead projector. Allow practice in small groups, and share results with the class. Divide the narrative events into beginning, middle and end.
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Explain the classical plot structure of introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
Read familiar stories to emphasize the importance of plot in the narrative. Illustrate the difference between simply relating things that happen and describing significant events that move the story toward a resolution. Demonstrate to the class the parts of the story that fit into each part of the plot structure.
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Use a graphic organizer to further hone the drafting phase of the writing process. Free or purchased organizing tools help by creating a pictorial view of the story. While you can use chalkboard or drawing paper, interactive forms give students much more freedom to arrange and rearrange sequences. You can group charts by color, shape or whatever works best for the students.
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Tips & Warnings
Have students develop their typing skills before they use a word processor.
Keep charts of the writing process in the classroom as a constant reminder to the students.
Have students keep practicing, because the writing process is an evolving skill in the third grade.
Remember that each student will understand and use this skill at his own pace.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit little boy writes image by Stepanov from Fotolia.com
