Course Plan for Narrative Writing: Grade 3
Introduction to the Course
In this course on narrative writing, students will embark on an exciting journey to discover the elements of storytelling. Through a series of lessons, they will learn how to craft their own engaging narratives, tapping into their creativity and imagination. The course will cover essential aspects, including plot development, character creation, setting descriptions, and much more. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the skills to write their own narratives that captivate readers.
Course Goals and Aims
The primary goal of this course is to enable students to develop their narrative writing skills, allowing them to express themselves creatively and communicate effectively through stories. The aims include:
- Understanding the key components of a narrative.
- Developing the ability to plan, write, and edit narratives.
- Encouraging creativity and self-expression.
- Fostering collaboration and feedback through peer reviews.
Standards
This course aligns with the following Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3):
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Essential Questions
- What makes a story engaging and memorable?
- How do characters and settings influence the narrative?
- In what ways can structure and sequence enhance a story?
- What techniques can writers use to evoke emotion in readers?
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Narrative Writing
Lesson 1: What is Narrative Writing?
- Objective: Define narrative writing and understand its purpose.
- Essential Question: What makes a story a narrative?
- Higher Order Thinking: Analyze examples of narratives to identify their elements.
Lesson 2: Elements of a Narrative
- Objective: Identify the components of a narrative: setting, characters, plot, conflict, and resolution.
- Essential Question: How do the elements of a narrative work together?
- Higher Order Thinking: Compare and contrast different narratives to see how they utilize these elements.
Module 2: Characters and Setting
Lesson 3: Creating Characters
- Objective: Learn how to create believable and engaging characters.
- Essential Question: What characteristics make a character relatable?
- Higher Order Thinking: Evaluate characters from various stories and discuss their traits.
Lesson 4: Setting the Scene
- Objective: Understand the importance of setting in storytelling.
- Essential Question: How does the setting impact the narrative?
- Higher Order Thinking: Design a setting for a story based on environmental factors.
Module 3: Plot Development
Lesson 5: The Plot Structure
- Objective: Learn about the basic structure of a plot (beginning, middle, end).
- Essential Question: How does structure affect the flow of a story?
- Higher Order Thinking: Create a plot diagram for a favorite story.
Lesson 6: Building Suspense and Conflict
- Objective: Identify types of conflict and their effect on stories.
- Essential Question: How do conflicts drive narratives forward?
- Higher Order Thinking: Propose alternative conflicts for well-known stories.
Module 4: Crafting Your Narrative
Lesson 7: Brainstorming Ideas
- Objective: Utilize brainstorming techniques to generate story ideas.
- Essential Question: What strategies can help us come up with original story ideas?
- Higher Order Thinking: Synthesize various ideas into a single narrative concept.
Lesson 8: Writing the First Draft
- Objective: Begin drafting a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Essential Question: Why is drafting an important stage in writing?
- Higher Order Thinking: Reflect on how narrative choices impact storytelling.
Lesson 9: Dialogue in Narrative
- Objective: Incorporate dialogue effectively to enhance character development.
- Essential Question: How can dialogue reveal a character's personality?
- Higher Order Thinking: Rewrite a scene to include dialogue that changes the story tone.
Module 5: Revising and Editing
Lesson 10: Sharing First Drafts
- Objective: Engage in peer review to provide constructive feedback.
- Essential Question: How can feedback improve our writing?
- Higher Order Thinking: Analyze peer narratives and suggest specific improvements.
Lesson 11: Revising the Narrative
- Objective: Learn revision techniques to strengthen narratives.
- Essential Question: What are some strategies to make a narrative more compelling?
- Higher Order Thinking: Revise a section of a peer's story based on feedback provided.
Module 6: Finalizing the Narrative
Lesson 12: Editing for Mechanics
- Objective: Focus on editing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Essential Question: Why is language mechanics important in writing?
- Higher Order Thinking: Identify errors in sample narratives and correct them.
Lesson 13: Preparing for Publishing
- Objective: Understand the steps to prepare a story for sharing (illustrations, formatting).
- Essential Question: How can presentation enhance the story?
- Higher Order Thinking: Create a cover and title page for their narratives.
Module 7: Celebrating Narrative Writing
Lesson 14: Author's Chair
- Objective: Share final narratives with classmates in a supportive environment.
- Essential Question: How does sharing our stories with others affect us as writers?
- Higher Order Thinking: Critique their own narratives after audience feedback.
Lesson 15: Reflection and Celebration
- Objective: Reflect on the narrative writing process and celebrate accomplishments.
- Essential Question: What did I learn about writing narratives?
- Higher Order Thinking: Evaluate their own growth as writers throughout the course.
References
- Calkins, L. M. (1994). The Art of Writing Workshop.
- Graves, D. H. (1994). Writing: Teachers and Children at Work.
- Fletcher, R., & Portalupi, J. (2001). Writing Tough Topics: Teaching Young Writers to Create Meaningful Narratives.
- National Council of Teachers of English. (2015). NCTE Position Statement on Writing Instruction.
- Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2010). English Language Arts Standards.
This course outline and materials can be adapted and modified as necessary to suit the specific needs of the classroom and the learners involved.