Narrative Writing: Best/Worst Day Experiences

This website lesson provides a trade book spring board to narrative writing about a student’s best or worst day ever. This web resource suggests several trade books, such as Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, to introduce first person narrative writing to fourth graders. Students follow the steps of the writing process to produce a narrative piece about their own best or worst day. The website includes four examples of actual student writing that is ideal for use with an interactive board to teach students how to peer assess. Rubric scoring is also provided for each sample based on the six traits. If student samples are used on the interactive board, the assigned scores can be discussed and key parts contributing to derived rubric scores can be underlined or highlighted.

Weblink address (URL): 
Narrative Writing: Best/Worst Day Experiences

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

Extensions:

  • For review of sequencing. Have students practice sequencing by cutting up short, well organized text. Text can be taken from one of the suggested titles but should not exceed six or seven lines. Have students organize the strips in logical sequence. (Reference: Creating Writers by Vicki Spandell, p. 162.)
  • Adding voice to language. Read snippets of familiar children=s authors. Have students guess who the author is.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

Teacher Materials:

  • Books dealing with best/worst experiences
  • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst
  • Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco
  • The Bee Tree, Patricia Polacco
  • Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes
  • Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes
  • Graphic organizer (story map)

References

Contributors: 
Paula Cox
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation