Unit 1 Overview
Unit 1: Making Small Moments Big
This narrative unit is divided into three bends, each one helping children deepen their understanding of narrative writing and how authors take moments from their personal lives and write about them. First, students will learn that writers search their memories for times in their lives that matter and let those memories spark ideas for their stories.
In Bend I, students will learn how to narrow their focus, moving them from list-like stories to stories of one time, ideally a time with significance. Writers will also learn how to incorporate characters’ feelings within their stories as well. The bend ends with a celebration as students marvel at how much they have already grown in just this first bend of writing workshop.
In Bend II, where students will explore revision strategies and techniques. Writers will learn how to slow down the most important parts of their stories by telling those parts bit by bit. As the bend draws to a close, students will be introduced to the narrative writing checklist.
In Bend III, students will cycle through the writing process once more, this time faster and ideally with more skill, and with Ocean Clean-Up Crew by Elizabeth Franco as a guide.
Writers will study craft moves such as comparisons, repetition and description within this bend as well. The bend and unit end with the publishing celebration in which children share their writing in story circles before placing their books in the classroom library.
Our goal as a district is to create lifelong learners. This unit assists your child in not only learning the technical skills listed above but also by helping them establish skills that will be helpful in life. As always, we thank you for your ongoing partnership and look forward to learning from and with you and your child during this unit! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!
Warmest regards,
Ms. Allison Conroy Dr. Christy O’Connor
Classroom Teacher Director of English Language Arts & Intervention