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Unit 1

What is a personal narrative?

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I can write a detailed paragraph about a personal experience.  I will provide sensory details that provide enough information that my reader can visualize what I saw and feel what I felt.

(Lesson objectives follow each lesson content)

What makes a good paragraph?

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  1. Include a topic sentence which tells what the paragraph will be about

  2. Provide supporting details to explain about the topic

  3. Include interesting facts that helps the reader visualize

  4. Provide a concluding sentence which is the final thought on the topic

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Capitalize the beginning of each sentence.

Add punctuation to the end of each sentence.

Each sentence should be able to stand as it's own thought.

Step 1 : Choose your photo memory

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A memory you remember well

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Bring photo to school

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Think about how you felt during this time

Create a 6-Word Memory

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Mrs. Sawyer's​
Colorado, ​boys, sick, frozen car, skiing
 

When creating your 6 word memory, try to include :

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The people

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The location

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Main events

Time to Pick the Starter

Action Lead

Jump right into the action
 

  • “I gripped the bat and swung as hard as I could…”

  • “Splash! I hit the cold water before I could even take a deep breath.”

Dialogue Lead

Start with someone speaking

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  • “‘Hurry up!’ my brother shouted as he ran ahead of me.”

  • “‘You’ll never believe what just happened!’ I told my best friend.”

Setting Lead

Paint a picture with words​

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  • “The sun was just rising, and the grass sparkled with dew as I walked to the field.”

  • “The classroom was buzzing with noise, and my heart raced as I waited for my turn.”

Sound Effect Lead

Use an onomatopoeia to grab attention

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  • “Boom! The thunder shook the windows, and I dove under my blanket.”

  • “Creak… I slowly opened the door and peeked inside.”

Question Lead

Ask a question to peak interest​

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  • “Have you ever been so nervous your knees shook?”

  • “What would you do if you were lost in the woods?”

Thought/Feeling Lead

Share an emotion to connect​

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  • “My stomach felt like a million butterflies were trapped inside.”

  • “I couldn’t stop smiling—I knew this was going to be the best day ever.”

Creating a starter to catch your reader's attention

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Choose a starter you like

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Create a similar starter for your story

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Write it in your planner or notebook

Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then

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Create a Somebody, Wanted, But, So Then on YOUR Memory

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Think about the main "Who"

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What was the main event & conflict?

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How did you story wrap up?

Teacher Lesson 5 : Write a Personal Food Narrative

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Reread How to Eat a Guava & create a list of personal events

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Discuss with a partner and take notes

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Plan the events for writing the personal experience

Dialogue

Teacher Lesson 6 : Adding Dialogue to Add Description

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Read A Girl from Yamhill & complete character traits chart

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Practice punctuating dialogue

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Plan dialogue that can be added to food narrative

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to A Girl from Yamhill

Chronological and Transitional Phrases

Teacher Lesson 7 : Adding transition words and phrases

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Reread A Good Lie and add transition phrases

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Create a list of possible memories

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Create a list of events about your memory

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to A Good Lie

Supporting Sentences

Teacher Lesson 8 : Understanding Firsthand VS Secondhand

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Reread Intro to Polio & The Diagnosis - Complete the chart

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Brainstorm firsthand experiences for narrative

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Start events planner for personal narrative

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to The Diagnosis Part 1 & 2

Character Traits

Teacher Lesson 9 : Using Character Traits in Your Narrative

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Read An Oxygen Tent and a Chocolate Milkshake - Complete chart

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Discuss your personal narrative with your partner

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Start planning your intro to your personal narrative

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to An Oxygen Tent & a Chocolate Milkshake

Figurative Language

Similes

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Compares 2 unlike things using LIKE or AS

Metaphors

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Compares 2 unlike things but does NOT use like or as

Teacher Lesson 10 : Adding Similes & Metaphors 

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Read Star Patient Surprises Everyone & identify similes and metaphors used

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Practice using similes and metaphors for your narrative

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Start your body paragraph for your narrative

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Listen to Star Patient Surprises Everyone

Adding More Detail

Teacher Lesson 11 : Adding Crucial Details

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Reread Star Patient Surprises Everyone & identify cause/effect

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Practice using more vital verbs

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Improve your narrative with improved verbs

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to Patient Surprises Everyone Part 1 & 2

Teacher Lesson 12 : Adding New Detail to Better Your Writing

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Read The Great Accordion Concert & describe learning to play the accordion

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Read Good-bye, Silver & identify good detail

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Select 7 events in your writing and add to it

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to The Great Accordion Concert

Teacher Lesson 13 : Concluding Thoughts

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Read the final section Back to School

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Discuss the entire essay as a whole

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Plan your conclusion

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Unknown Track - Unknown Artist
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Listen to Goodbye Silver Hello Sticks & Back to School

Good Conclusion

Teacher Lesson 14 & 15 : Interviewing Authors and Reviewing

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Title your essay and discuss titles for the essays in the reader

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Revise your essay with peers

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Create a list of questions for interviews

Final Project

Personal Narrative

Brainstorming
Intro

Lesson 7.4

WB p 77

Lesson 8.4

WB p 88-92

Lesson 9.3

WB p 99

Body
Conclusion

Lesson 10.5

WB p 109

Lesson 12.3

WB p 123

Lesson 13.2

WB p 129-131

Lesson 13.2

WB p 129-131

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Vanessa Sawyer - vsawyer@usd353.com

Millie Angleton - mangleton@usd353.com

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