LESSON EIGHT: The Personal Narrative-Part Two

 

LESSON DESCRIPTION

 

This is the first of four lessons which guide students through the five stages of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing/presenting) to write a personal narrative.

 

Students select one of their four journal entries to expand into a personal narrative.  They begin the prewriting stage of the writing process by filling out an organizer for their narrative and then begin the drafting state of the writing process by writing their first draft.

 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

 

W3A  Write a personal narrative that chronicles a sequence of three or more events and uses sensory detail.

 

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Source of Literature

o        None

 

§         Supplies 

 

§         Handouts provided

o        Personal narrative writing prompt

 

§         Words to know

o        sensory details

o        graphic organizer

o        narrative

o        draft

o        plot

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 

Questions

for

Students

Write the guiding question for the lesson on the board.

How can I use my personal experiences with change and growing up to write an interesting story?

 

1.  Students reread each of their four unit Journal Responses. 

 

2.  Pass out the Personal Narrative Writing Prompt handout.  Read through the prompt with students.

 

Strategy

Some students may have difficulty choosing an entry to expand.  Guide them to the entry with the most potential for expanding into a narrative.

 

3.  Give students time to complete the Personal Narrative Organizer handout.  Remind students that this is part of the prewriting stage of the writing process where they plan and organize their thoughts.  (Prewriting)

 

Strategy

 

Remind students of the elements of a plot.  Explain that when they are finished with their rough draft a peer will be reading their work and filling out a plot diagram.  They should keep this in mind as they prepare to write.    

 

4.   Once the organizer is complete, students begin their drafts.  Remind them that during the drafting stage of the writing process they are just getting ideas on paper using their prewriting material.  Students skip lines when they write to allow for revision.  (Drafting)

 

Strategy

Students may compose their drafts on paper or use a computer.