4th Grade Story Writing Lesson Plan

Topic: Writing a story

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand the steps on how to write a story.

Materials

• Pencils and paper for each student
• Example story

Warm-up

• Ask the students what their favorite story is and why they like it.
• Write the answers on the board.
• Ask the students if they have ever tried to write a story themselves and if so, what was it about and how did they go about writing it.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of a story and its elements: a main character(s), a problem or challenge they must overcome, and a resolution (how the problem is solved).
• Brainstorm ideas for a story by asking the students what they know about a particular topic or theme (e.g. dinosaurs, space travel, animals) and writing their suggestions on the board.
• Pick a theme and start to develop the main character and their problem. Ask the students for ideas and suggestions and write them on the board.
• As a class, start to outline the story by writing down the key events and details on the board. Ask the students to help fill in the details and make sure everything makes sense.
• As a class, start to write the first draft of the story, making sure to incorporate the theme, main character, and problem or challenge.

Guided Practice

• Have the students work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for their own stories using the brainstormed themes and ideas.
• Have the students work in small groups to develop and outline their own stories using the brainstormed themes and ideas.
• Have the students work in small groups to write the first draft of their own stories using the brainstormed themes and ideas.

Independent Practice

• Have the students work individually to write the second draft of their own stories using the brainstormed themes and ideas.
• Have the students work individually to edit and polish their own stories using the brainstormed themes and ideas.

Closure

• Have the students share their completed stories with the class.
• Have the students share any challenges they faced while writing their stories and how they were able to overcome them.

Assessment

• Observe the students during independent practice to assess their understanding of the steps to writing a story.
• Evaluate the students' completed stories to assess their understanding of the steps to writing a story and their ability to apply them in a written narrative.