Grades 3–5
60+ Minutes
Narrative
VideosCaitlin Horrocks is the author of two short story collections, Life Among the Terranauts and This Is Not Your City, and her novel The Vexations was named one of the Ten Best Books of 2019 by The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, The Paris Review, among many others. Horrocks teaches creative writing at Grand Valley State University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
You will learn how to use concrete details and sensory language to describe an important place.
STEP 1
Watch the video and read the mentor text, on page 1 of the Sense Memories – Handout. After you watch the video, answer these questions in your writing journal: “What are the 5 senses? Why is it important to add sensory details into a personal narrative?” Then, underline at least 5 examples of sensory language found in the Mentor Text. (Hint: Find action words that match the 5 senses.)
STEP 2
Now, pick a place that you love and know well. Draw a detailed picture of this place on page 2 of the handout. On the bottom of the page, write about why this place is important to you.
STEP 3
Next, you will describe your place using concrete details and sensory language. Follow the directions on page 3 to complete this step.
STEP 4
On page 4, draw a detailed...
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a character and show how a character would respond in a specific situation by writing dialogue, resulting in a silly scene.
by 826 National, featuring Naomi Ku, Grade 6, 826LA
What is the story of your favorite food? In this lesson, you will use descriptive details and sensory words to write a narrative that shares more about your favorite food.
by 826 National
Author and illustrator Lisa Brown reads "Owl Girl. In this lesson, you will write a superhero story that introduces your character and establishes the context for your reader.
by Molly Sprayregen, 826CHI
Writer and 826michigan staffer Denise Ervin writes alongside students to show what feelings sound like.
by 826 National, featuring Isaac Reynolds, Grade 6
What’s the moral of the story? In this lesson, students practice identifying and summarizing a moral in a fable written by a sixth grader.
by 826 National, featuring Sophie Tseng, Grade 4, Somerset Elementary School
From the 826 National original publication, UNBOUND, this poem describes the writer's favorite place and prompts you to reflect on a place where you feel safe.
by Daniel Handler
Author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, shows there are no limits to imagination with this interviewing activity.
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by Tony Weaver, Jr., educator and author of the graphic novel Weirdo
Author and educator Tony Weaver, Jr. invites students in grades 5—12 to explore science fiction with different writing prompts that invite them to build new worlds and reimagine what's possible.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.
by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador
Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by Kinyel Friday, 826michigan
Children's book author, and 826michigan staff member, Kinyel Friday shares a social emotional learning prompt that uses personification to bring emotions to life.
by 826 National
Misinformation Specialist with Google Nidhi Hebbar shares how you can use writing to inspire change and bring people into conversations about the issues you care about.
by 826 National, featuring Iman Abdullah, Grade 2, 826NYC
Have you ever thought about what you have in common with an animal? In this lesson, students will write a comparison poem that explores these similarities and differences.
by Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children, illustrates how to end a story...or not.
by Charlotte Yeung
Midwest Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador, Charlotte Yeung, shares one of her favorite brainstorming strategies for creating a new piece.
by 826 National, featuring Milo Wu, Grade 2, New York
In this lesson, you will introduce an animal you know a lot about as the narrator of a story. The narrator will provide descriptive details ask the reader "Guess who?" at the end.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a simple scrapbook that showcases the facts, definitions, and details you’ve learned about a few of the items you found in a scavenger hunt.
We are thrilled to have you as the newest member of our online community. Stay up-to-date on the the latest and most relevant resources, student publication opportunities, and what’s new with the 826 Digital community.
bookmark
download
Share