Teaching Fictional Narrative Writer's Workshop in Elementary School

Writing fictional narratives in writer’s workshop is a fabulous time to let students play with their imaginations. The hard part is getting all of the ideas in the head onto the paper.

There are two areas I have to work hard to get students fully engaged. They just want to write and be done.

Give AMPLE Time for Brainstorming:

Let students get to know their characters before they begin writing. Writers should know more about each character in their story than they will share with readers. A fun way to do this is with character interviews.
- Model how to complete the character questionnaire. (You can grab your free copy here.)
- Give students time to complete the character questionnaire.
- Have students meet with a partner to interview and draw out more details to add about the characters.
Draw detailed setting maps. Writers need to plan out where their story will take place. Plan time to add the details needed to really paint the picture. As students are drawing, interview them about the items they added and what they think will happen in these places.
Use graphic organizers to help students plan out their plot.
- Problem – Solution Charts
- Plot Train
- Writing Guide
- Plot Outline

All of these lessons are available in my Fictional Narrative Units. (See links below.)

Conference, Conference, Conference

Talking about writing gives writers the time to think about what they are writing. They can talk about what they think they will write, what they like and dislike, reflect, and ask questions.

Set the stage for conferencing with these Preconference Checklist. Be sure to let students know what will happen in writing conferences.
Let them read their writing aloud to you. This is a great way to for them to learn proofreading habits.
Have a sign up with student names and topics.
Prepare list of questions for you to refer to throughout the conferences. This will help keep you on track and ahead of the standards you want them to master. (You can grab your free conferencing guides in THIS ARTICLE.)
Be sure to plan time for the Author’s Share. This is the chance to reteach, allow others to model skills, and give kids a chance to realize they have an audience.

Before you dive into the fictional narrative writer’s workshop be sure that the students understand the writing process. You can grab my FREE writing process posters here.

Want to have the entire fictional narrative unit planned for you? You get detailed lesson plans, graphic organizers, and language arts mini-lessons. (You can purchase these units as a bundle that includes fictional narratives, personal narratives, and poetry!)

Take me to the BUNDLES.

Take me to the 2nd Grade Fictional Narrative Unit

Take me to the 3rd Grade Fictional Narrative Unit

Take me to the 4th Grade Fictional Narrative Unit

Take me to the 5th Grade Fictional Narrative Unit