Engage Your Third Graders with Engaging Personal Narrative Lesson Plans

Introduction

As a third-grade teacher, you may struggle to find ways to engage your students in writing personal narratives. However, with the right lesson plans, you can help your students gain confidence in their writing abilities while also developing a love for storytelling.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some engaging personal narrative lesson plans that you can use to help your third graders become better writers and storytellers.

Body

1. Brainstorming Personal Narrative Ideas

The first step in any personal narrative lesson plan is to help your students brainstorm ideas for their stories. Encourage them to think about events or experiences that have had a significant impact on their lives, whether positive or negative. Provide prompts such as:

Once your students have generated several ideas, have them choose one to focus on for their narrative.

2. Creating a Story Map

Before your students begin writing their narratives, it’s helpful to create a story map with them. A story map helps students plot out the key elements of their story, including the setting, characters, problem, and resolution. This can help them organize their ideas and stay focused as they write.

3. Writing the First Draft

With a solid idea and story map in place, your students can begin writing the first draft of their personal narrative. Encourage them to use sensory details and vivid language to bring their stories to life. Remind them to include an introduction to hook the reader, a clear problem, and a resolution.

4. Revising and Editing

Once your students have completed their first draft, it’s time to revise and edit. Encourage them to read their work out loud to check for clarity and flow. Have them make revisions such as adding more details or deleting unnecessary information. You can also have them work in pairs or small groups to provide feedback to each other.

Conclusion

Personal narratives are a great way to engage your third graders in writing and storytelling. By providing engaging lesson plans and encouraging your students to write about their own lives and experiences, you can help them become better writers and more confident storytellers. Remember to focus on brainstorming ideas, creating a story map, writing the first draft, and revising and editing. With these tools in place, your students will be on their way to becoming great writers!