Do You Want to Build a Story? {A Narrative Writing Lesson}

Do you have that Frozen song in your head now? DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?
Well, your students know that song and it's your gateway to teach them about narrative writing. Narrative writing can be a HOT MESS if it's not structured JUST RIGHT! As I'm teaching my students about narrative writing, I have them help me build (draw) a snowman. I relate narrative writing to a snowman! PLUS I wrote a song to go along with Frozen's "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"  to introduce narrative writing but we call it...
"Do You Want to Build a Story?" (special thanks to my friend Alyssa who graciously and beautifully sang it for me! You can preview the song here!

This pack is perfect for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade 

narrative writing standards!

Included in this pack:

Do You Want to Build a Story Song (and lyrics)-You can sample the song here

Snowman Storyboard (pre-write)

Story Element Cards

Story Element Posters

First Draft Writing Paper (snowman themed)

Final Draft Writing Paper (snowman themed)

Pre-Write Storyboard (pre-write)

First Draft Writing Paper (no theme)

Final Draft Writing Paper (no theme)

Narrative Writing Rubric

Narrative Writing Editing Checklist

Bulletin Board Letters (Olaf not included)

Check it out here!

Our final products turned out great and now they are on display in the hallway!

Our Favorite Ideas for January!

January is crazy month! Right after the holiday rush you have to keep those kiddos engaged somehow. We've gathered our favorite ideas from over the years and compiled them for your viewing pleasure. ;) Feel free to download or pin to Pinterest for later.

Q-Tip Snowflake

We write this poem on the back (on lined paper)
Snowflake, snowflake
Falling down
On the trees
And on the ground.

Q-tip Snowflake

 Magically Appearing Picture

This magically appearing snow scene can be made by mixing 3 parts of Epsom salt  with 1 part of water.  Stir really well! Use a paint brush to create a winter scene and wait for it do dry to see your picture!

 Marshmallow Snowman

The marshmallow snowman's body is made by dipping a large marshmallow into white paint.  The buttons and face are made by dipping a small marshmallow into black paint.  The accessories are made out of paper.

I posted about some *free* January themed activities that you can check out {here}.

I also have this fun word search that I made for January that you can download free {here}.

Clipart copyright Diane J Hood and use with permission by djinkers.com

Here's what we're doing in our classroom next:

This cute board is from Really Roper. She's got a free mini-unit! Go get it (here)!

Then, we've got this amazing unit that we'll do the second week of January:

I love this unit! You can get this one from Deanna Jump {here}.

And lastly for January, we'll be learning about bears. This is from my Bear Unit.

You can find it {here}

 I found Jan Brett's website and I just loooooooove it.  I printed, cut, laminated and attached a popsicle stick to the animal masks from "The Mitten" and my class and I are going to retell the story by using the masks and acting out each of the part.  I am going to use a white sheet as the mitten and my students will have to crawl in it as we retell.

Clipart and/or fonts copyright DJ Inkers and used with permission: www.djinkers.com

Click HERE for the writing activity.  Click HERE for the mask downloads from Jan Brett's website.

This unit is perfect for Kinder, 1st, and 2nd Graders!

This mini-unit is a perfect way to teach your students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and all of the great things he did for human rights. 

This unit is for K-2!

Click {here} to check it out!

Do you teach grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th? Then this unit is perfect for you!

Want to read about what this pack includes??

And here's a pretty snapshot of some of the awesome printables and graphic organizers you will receive. 30 pages total.

This unit is perfect for any upper grades classroom {designed for grades 3-6} and will be a fun way to do some great learning about an important time in American History.

Get Inspired with a TPT Sale!

It's a new year and we are excited to celebrate with a TPT Sale!! 

For all our teacher-friends in Australia who are just now heading back to school, we are happy to offer you 28% all your back to school purchases.


Check out these Back-to-School goodies:

      

         

      

        

For those of us in America (or anywhere else on a traditional school calendar), January and February can feel like some of the longest months of the year. Let us help you with your lessons plans and save 28% off on all your purchases.


Here are some great ideas:

     

     

        

   

Please click on the buttons below to see some more of the products we have in our stores. 

          

Don't forget to use the promo code START16 at checkout!