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Curriculum Compacting Narrative Writing Unit

2nd Grade
Katie Kirk
February 2017
What the class will be working on: Class will be using an illustration prompt to write a short
narrative story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Possible Standards:
ELAGSE2RL5: Describe the overall structure of a story including describing
how the beginning introduces the story, the middle provides major events
and challenges, and the ending concludes the action.
ELAGSE2RL6: Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters,
including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading
dialogue aloud.
ELAGSE2RL7: Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a
print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting,
or plot.
ELAGSE2W3: Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event
or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts,
and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense
of closure.

Learning Contract for Compacted (Proficient) Students


2nd Grade Narrative Story Unit

ELACC2RL5: Describe the overall structure of a story, including


describing how the beginning introduces the story and the
ending concludes the action.

ELACC2W3: Write narratives in which recount a well-elaborated


event or short sequence of events, include details to describe
actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal
event order, and provide a sense of closure.

Rules for Working on Individual Contracts:


1. Stay on task at all times during the activity whether in the classroom or
in another area of the school.
2. Ask for help during independent work time not while the teacher is
teaching.
3. Use quiet, respectful behavior at all times. NEVER brag about using the
contract because every student needs a different type of learning plan.
4. Enter and leave the room quietly and have permission from a teacher.
5. Refer to the self-assessment rubric throughout the two weeks to make
sure your independent project encompasses the elements of a
narrative.
6. But forth your best effort and creative abilities when completing your
independent project.
7. Manage time wisely and complete choice project by the end of the two
week unit. If time issues, or other issues arise it is the students
responsibility to discuss the issues with teacher at the closest and most
appropriate time.

I, _____________________________, promise to complete the activity on this


learning contract independently. I also promise to follow the contract rules.

Student Signature__________________________
Date:_________________________

Teacher Signature__________________________ Date:


_________________________

Required by the Teacher: activities that are to be completed with the class:
Participate in whole group opener/closing during writing block each day
Demonstrate an understanding of the story elements related to the narrative writing genre
Participate in required mini-lessons teacher feels will benefit and/or enhance students
independent project and learning about narrative writing genre
Prewrite for independent writing project using narrative graphic organizer

Required Independent activities: activities that you must complete individually:


Fill out practice graphic organizer independently using particular mentor text related to student
menu project choice
Engage in an independent study of either novels, play scripts, or electronic picture books in
order to extend and enhance knowledge of narrative writing
Student will create character profiles for each character (people and/or animals) that contribute
to her story
Compose narrative writing piece in an advanced and creative way by following choosen project
guidelines and using the narrative writing rubric.
What the student will learn:
Student will learn alternate ways to compose narrative writing
Student will describe the overall structure of a story, including how the beginning introduces and
story and the ending concludes the action.
Student will understand narrative genre elements and how broad the genre of narrative writing
can be.
Narratives can be real or imaginary
Recount an event or series of events
Includes details to describe actions, thought, and feelings
Has a beginning, middle, and end
Includes and/or uses: narrator, character, setting, problem, solution
Crafts a plot
Describes events, scenes, objects, and people
Uses temporal words to signal event order
May include dialogue
Student will learn how to prewrite using a specific graphic organizer to generate and organize
ideas
Student will learn ways to revise and edit writing in order to produce a better quality product
Student will learn what a mentor text is and how we can use other stories and forms of writing to
guide our own writing

Time Period:
Two-week narrative writing unit

Student Menu Options:

a) Choose a novel you have read and enjoyed that encompasses all the characteristics of the
narrative genre. Get creative by composing a final chapter of the novel that either replaces the
last chapter or extends the story. Mentor texts would include exploring the last chapters of
familiar novels.
b) Use Storybird.com to create a picture book of your narrative using illustration templates to
create a story with detailed characters and a clear beginning, middle, and end. Design your
story with an audience of kindergarten or first graders in mind. Prepare and practice how to
present your story to younger students in an engaging way. Mentor texts would include other
electronic stories on Storybird.com. Student must engage in the Storybird How it Works tutorial
found on the website before beginning this project.
c) Create a readers theatre script for an interesting narrative in which you include story elements
by creating and composing a story with dialogue, characters, scenes, setting. Use puppets or
classmates to play the roles of your characters. Mentor texts would be a collection of narrative
stories that have been turned into reader's theatre scripts.
Materials needed:
Lined Paper
Practice Graphic Organizer
Graphic Organizer for prewriting
Blank Character Profiles
Access to school library and mentor texts
Packet for menu option of choice
Packet will include all appropriate resources that student will need for that particular choice
option including instructions, navigation tools, information, blank templates, rubric- all allowing
for in depth study, exploration, and understanding of choice
Readers theatre scripts (if applicable)
Paper, markers, and puppet art supplies (if applicable)
Computer and internet access to Storybird.com (if applicable to choice)
Smartboard for opening, closing, and selected mini-lessons.
Revising and editing checklist
Revising and editing tools and markers
Narrative Writing Rubric
Final product will be evaluated using narrative writing rubric that student should be referring to
throughout the two-week time period.
Student will also be evaluated informally during writing conferences and teacher observation.

Positive Consequences:
If student completes independent choice project to the best of her ability, follows the rubric to
the best of ability, and does not break the contract she will be able to share her project with the
class.
If student chooses to write her own chapter for a favorite novel, student will have the opportunity
to share her writing and experience with the class and with students permission, the composed
chapter will printed (or scanned), laminated, and placed in the class library for others to read.
If student chooses readers theatre, she can perform her script or record it on ipad before
sharing it with the class or other classes (if opportunity arises).
If student chooses Storybird project she will have the opportunity to share it with a group of
kindergarten and/or first grade students. With parent permission, student may also publish her
Storybird story electronically and share this in the school news.

Negative consequences:
If student breaks contract in anyway she will receive one warning and have a discussion with
the teacher to decide whether or not to continue. If the contract is broken after one warning and
discussion, student will lose the privilege of completing the choice project and will not continue
working under the provided special differentiated circumstances. Parents will be contacted.

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