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Lesson 31: Pacing and Structure in Narrative Writing
50 min
California CCSS: Focus Standards
California CCSS: Supporting Standards
ELD Standards
Student Lesson
Lesson 31: Pacing and Structure in Narrative Writing
Student Learning Objectives
1
Content
Students will plan and begin writing original narrative stories based on characters from the anchor text.
2
Language
Students will plan and draft a paced narrative about a Look Both Ways character by using narrative sequencing language (first/then/later), descriptive emotion language, and evidence-based details from the mentor texts (structure/pacing patterns + character voice), including purposeful choices about when to use nonstandard English to match character and audience.
Essential Question
How does sharing stories help people understand one another?
Connections to
Knowledge-Building:
How can understanding another person’s perspective strengthen relationships and community?
Enduring Understanding:
By noticing and sharing small moments, people build empathy, voice, and community.
Future Lessons:
Future writing lessons will continue to explore narrative writing.
Unit Performance Task:
Knowledge of narrative writing, with a focus on ordinary events, is key to the performance task.
Lesson Pacing
| Lesson Flow | Purpose of Learning Experience |
|---|---|
Launch5 Minutes | Students will discuss with partners the ideas they generated for homework around which character from the anchor text they will write about, what events or information will be revealed, and how they will pace their stories. |
Literacy Lab10 Minutes | Students will be introduced to the pre-writing process, including the generation of an idea, a sequence of events, and an outline. |
Learning in Action30 Minutes | Part A: Pre-Writing for Pacing and Organization (W.6.3b, W.6.3d) Students will pre-write stories by creating sequences of events and outlines based on those modeled during the Literacy Lab. Part B: Narrative Writing (W.6.3b, W.6.3d) Students will investigate the importance of staying true to a character and their narrative, including the use of nonstandard English. Then students will begin to write their own original narratives about a character from the anchor text. |
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Addressed in Lesson
- sensory detail:
- descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch
Vocabulary for Additional Support
- n/a
Material List
- Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
- Unit 1 Lesson 31 Student Edition
Routines
- Turn and Talk
- Model Writing
- Think-Pair-Share
Lesson Sequence
Lesson Texts
Short-Form Text
Thank You M'am
Langston Hughes
Read text
