Language Arts, Writing, Journaling

Grade 1- 2

Objective

Students will learn about writing narrative nonfiction pieces.

Directions

Nonfiction narrative writing tells a story or an event that is true. There are two primary categories of narrative writing--personal and biographical. A personal narrative tells about the experiences of the author. A biographical narrative tells the story of another person by the author, whether from personal observation or from history. The structure must be organized to tell a story either in the order it happened or in some other logical sequence. Many narratives also include messages, morals, or lessons as part of their purpose.

On pages 161 and 162 there are two examples of narrative autobiographical writing. The first one is called This is Your Lifeline! and the second one is called Star of the Week. Below are directions for both.

To help you get to know the children better and to help the children get to know one another better, a perfect writing activity for the beginning of the year is the lifeline. Give each child six index cards along with a copy of page 161. After completing page 161, the sentences are cut apart and glued to the back of each card. Each child brings in a photograph for every year of his or her life and glues each to the front of each corresponding card. (You may have the child draw pictures instead of bringing in photos.) The cards are attached together with yarn in chronological order (as shown on page 161) and displayed around the room for all to enjoy. An optional card could be added that includes something the child may want to accomplish during the school year.

Each week in many classrooms a child is selected to be Star of the Week. The child can be chosen by alphabetical order or in a random drawing until everyone has a turn. To make the paper doll of the star of the week, trace an outline of the child on bulletin-board paper. Have the child color the outline and display the cutout on the wall along with interview finish-me sentences (see page 162) about different parts of his or her body. These sentences are completed, put on index cards, and glued or stapled to the doll. At the end of the week, the star child takes the paper doll home to keep.

Resources

copies of the two activity sheets (see the link below)