Keep the Story Going

Writing Standard Three: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Students can write narrative pieces that will require them to show understanding of informational or narrative text.

1. After students have read a text, ask them to consider traits of a person/character from the text.

2. Have students identify two or three traits about the individual.  Ask students to identify specific text evidence supporting their view on the person's character.

3. Allow students to come up with various scenarios that include the person/character.  Have them work in pairs or small groups to determine what the person/character would say in each scenario.  Predicted speech should be based on text evidence from previous actions.

4. After a discussion of what the person/character might say in a certain scenario, ask students to extend this idea by writing about one event this person/character might be involved in based upon the text.  The writer might orient the reader by referencing previously read material.  For example, if thinking about Charlotte's Web, the writer might refer to Fern as being an animal lover and how this love of animals caused her to behave in a certain way in another situation.  Encourage students to use dialogue and description in their writing.

5. Have students share their writing and discuss reasons for the events or actions of the person/character based on text evidence.