aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 7
What topic	Narrative structure
Quantity	1
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Engaging Introduction to Narrative Structure

Objective:

To capture students' interest and introduce them to the concept of narrative structure through a creative storytelling activity.

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Lesson Starter: The Story Puzzle

Materials Needed:

• A large jigsaw puzzle (can be an image of a popular story or fairy tale)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Timer (optional)

Instructions:

1. Set the Scene: Begin the lesson by dimming the lights and playing some subtle background music. This creates a relaxed environment conducive to creativity and focus.

2. Puzzle Presentation: Display the jigsaw puzzle pieces on a table or in front of the class. Let students know that this puzzle represents the "pieces" of a story. Explain that today, they will explore how these pieces fit together to create a narrative.

3. Group Activity: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a few scattered pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.

4. Mystery Game: Ask each group to spend five minutes discussing and guessing what the complete picture might represent. Encourage them to think about which stories they are familiar with that could fit the clues.

5. Revealing the Image: After the time is up, bring the class together and slowly assemble the puzzle in front of them, revealing the complete image. This could be a famous scene from a novel, a well-known movie, or even a popular animated character.

6. Discussion: Once the image is complete, prompt a discussion with questions such as:

   • "What story do you think this image represents?"
   • "What are the key elements you think must be present in a narrative to make it engaging?"

Transition to Core Lesson:

After discussing the group's perspectives, relate their ideas back to the concept of narrative structure. Explain that just like the puzzle pieces need to fit together, a successful story has a structure that includes elements like introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Closing Hook:

Conclude with a prompt: “Just as we’ve pieced together this puzzle, we’ll be piecing together our understanding of narrative structure in our writing this term. Let's dive into what makes a story work!”

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Outcome:

By using an interactive and visually stimulating introduction, students are not only engaged but also primed to understand the importance of narrative structure in storytelling.