Writing Narratives: Brainstorm Day

40 minute lesson
Background: 6th grade mixed general and special education, mixed ELL (intermediate) and
native English speakers. Students have read
The Arrival
and are familiar with various styles
of narrative storytelling.
Objective:
Students will review parts of a story, plan out and write narratives using
creative language.
Language Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1.E
Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others' writing and
speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional
language.*
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances
in word meanings.
Content Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
Materials
:
The Arrival
, paper, pens/pencils, thinking caps
Prompt
: Think of a time when you were new to a place and did not know anyone else.
How did you feel? Did this unfamiliar place become familiar?. Students may write from
their own experience or choose a part of The Arrival to narrate in first person.
Procedure
:
Activation

1.
5 min: Review parts of a story (setting, characters, conflict, resolution). Ask students
and, if needed, ask prompting questions.

Q: Who is in a story? A: Characters

Where does a story take place? A: Setting
What happens in a story? A: Conflict or Problem
Pilath1

What happens when a problem is solved? A: Resolution Ending

Write on board.

2.
5 min: Ask students to volunteer who, where, when, why, how questions that they
think a story should answer. Students or teacher will write on board.
What is a who question that a story should answer?
Connection

3.
1 min: Ask students to make graphic organizers to plan out their story. They may use
notebook paper or computer paper. Fold paper into quarters so there are 8 sections front
and back.

4.
2 min: Give students prompt. Clarify any questions.
Think of a time when you were
new to a place and did not know anyone else. How did you feel? Did this unfamiliar
place become familiar?
You may write about your own experiences, or you may use a part
of
The Arrival
. If you choose the latter option, please come and discuss your idea with me.
Affirmation

5.
20 minutes: Brainstorm. (5-10 minutes of independent brainstorming, 10-15 minutes of
small group brainstorming.)

Follow this format for the sections: Who, Where, When, Why (x2), What, How (x2).
Prompts do not have to be word for word, but should give the student a clear idea of the
story.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Who is in the story?

Where does the story take place?
When does the story take place?
What happens?
Why does this story happen?
Why does the character act as they do?
How does the character handle the conflict?
How does this story connect to who you are today?

References
:
Tan, Shaun.
The Arrival
. Singapore: Arthur A Levine Books, 2007. Print.

Pilath2