Resources
W4.3a-e
Standard: W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
a. Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator
and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
b. Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the
responses of characters to situations.
c. Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of
events.
d. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences
and events precisely.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
Resources
Writing Process Ladder pdf
Writing Process:
o Collecting Entries
o Picking a seed
o Nurturing a seed
o Drafting
o Editing
o Revision
o Publishing
Suggested Mentor Texts (choose 1 or 2)
o A Chair for My Mother, Vera Williams
o Fireflies!, Julie Brinckloe
o Peter’s Chair, Ezra Keats
o Owl Moon, Jane Yolen
o Some Frog, Eve Bunting
o When I was Young in the Mountains, Cynthia Rylant
o The Relatives Came, Cynthia Rylant
o The Memory String, Eve Bunting
o Earrings, Judith Viorst
Nancy Fetzer
Resources
W4.3a-e
http://www.commoncorestandardswriting.com/nancy-fetzers-grades-4-6writing-curriculum-online-training/
Narrative Writing Overview p. 21
This chapter has two sections: Introductory Lessons and Narrative Writing Lessons. The Introductory
Lessons include Movie Scripts and Come Alive Boxes, language development activities that easily
integrate and enhance any Language Arts curriculum. Movie Scripts develop robust vocabulary and
narrative writing skills. Come Alive Boxes analyze characters in stories as well as teach word choice and
descriptive writing for narratives. The second section of this chapter is the Narrative Writing Lessons for
Stages 6-8. Each stage begins with an introductory chant, followed by direct instruction steps for students
to learn in order to plan and write their own stories. These lessons teach all the elements and skills outlined
in the Common Core Standards.
Narrative Writing Over
Narrative Writing Movie Scripts
Narrative Writing Come Alive Boxes
Narrative Writing Word Banks
Narrative Writing with Figurative Language
Narrative Writing Lessons Overview
Personal Narrative Writing Stage 6
Imaginative Narrative Stage 6
Narrative Writing Stage 7
Narrative Writing Stage 8
Resources
W4.3a-e
Narrative Writing Tools p. 73
This video explains how to use and organize the many narrative writing tools. Also, in this tools section is a
free download of the full-color 81/2″ x 14″ Narrative Writing Wall Charts for Stages 6-8.
Narrative Writing Tools
Free Download “Narrative Writing Wall Charts” Stages 6-8
[PDF]Writer's Workshop - Teaching That Makes Sense!
www.ttms.org/PDFs/05%20Writers%20Workshop%20v001%20(Full).pdf
Instead of spending the majority of class time on spelling tests, grammar worksheets, handwriting practice,
and other isolated sub-skills of writing, Writer’s Workshop is designed to emphasize the act of writing
itself—students spend most of their time putting pencil to paper, not just learning about it. Over time,
students learn to choose their own topics and to manage their own development as they work through a
wide variety of writing projects in a sustained and self-directed way.
Lucy Calkins on Mini-lessons
Lucy Calkins explains why the writing workshop puts an emphasis on mini-lessons
and how to mine mini-lessons for their instructional value.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOeJIxGwpY8&list=PLb5RXypPqP5sNAYNUDE
fwaq2QYPauhCcc&index=4
What is Writers Workshop
Mini-Lesson (5-15 minutes)
A short lesson focused on a single topic that students need
help with. You don’t need to give a mini-lesson each day; 23 times a week is usually just fine.
Writing Time – Workshop (20-45 minutes)
Students write. The teacher can write in her own notebook
(5-10 minutes). Then the teacher uses her own notebook
and/or the mentor text and conferences with individual
students or small groups.
Sharing (5-15 minutes)
Writers read what they have written and seek feedback from
their audience. Choose 2-3 students to share that you
conferenced with that you want to highlight their writing
process. (This does not have to be your best writer.) You
can share your own writing too.
Lucy Calkins Writing Resources
Narrative Checklist document – CL_NAR_G4 pdf
4th Grade Narrative Exemplar – G4_PW_NAR pdf
Resources
W4.3a-e
Narrative Conferring Teaching Points – IT_NAR_G4 pdf
Common Core State Standards appendix B: text exemplars and sample
performance tasks
http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf
Accountable Talk Stems pdf
Story Mountain pdf