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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Include a topic sentence which tells what the paragraph will be about
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Provide supporting details to explain about the topic
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Include interesting facts that helps the reader visualize
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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

A memory you remember well

Bring photo to school

Think about how you felt during this time
Create a 6-Word Memory

Mrs. Sawyer's​
Colorado, ​boys, sick, frozen car, skiing
When creating your 6 word memory, try to include :

The people

The location

Main events
Time to Pick the Starter
Action Lead
Jump right into the action
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“I gripped the bat and swung as hard as I could…”
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“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.”
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“‘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.”
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“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.”
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“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?”
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“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.”
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“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

Choose a starter you like

Create a similar starter for your story

Write it in your planner or notebook
Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then

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

Think about the main "Who"

What was the main event & conflict?

How did you story wrap up?
Teacher Lesson 5 : Write a Personal Food Narrative

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

Discuss with a partner and take notes

Plan the events for writing the personal experience
Dialogue
Teacher Lesson 6 : Adding Dialogue to Add Description

Read A Girl from Yamhill & complete character traits chart

Practice punctuating dialogue

Plan dialogue that can be added to food narrative
Listen to A Girl from Yamhill
Chronological and Transitional Phrases
Teacher Lesson 7 : Adding transition words and phrases

Reread A Good Lie and add transition phrases

Create a list of possible memories

Create a list of events about your memory
Listen to A Good Lie
Supporting Sentences
Teacher Lesson 8 : Understanding Firsthand VS Secondhand

Reread Intro to Polio & The Diagnosis - Complete the chart

Brainstorm firsthand experiences for narrative

Start events planner for personal narrative
Listen to The Diagnosis Part 1 & 2
Character Traits
Teacher Lesson 9 : Using Character Traits in Your Narrative

Read An Oxygen Tent and a Chocolate Milkshake - Complete chart

Discuss your personal narrative with your partner

Start planning your intro to your personal narrative
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

Read Star Patient Surprises Everyone & identify similes and metaphors used

Practice using similes and metaphors for your narrative

Start your body paragraph for your narrative
Listen to Star Patient Surprises Everyone
Adding More Detail
Teacher Lesson 11 : Adding Crucial Details

Reread Star Patient Surprises Everyone & identify cause/effect

Practice using more vital verbs

Improve your narrative with improved verbs
Listen to Patient Surprises Everyone Part 1 & 2
Teacher Lesson 12 : Adding New Detail to Better Your Writing

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

Read Good-bye, Silver & identify good detail

Select 7 events in your writing and add to it
Listen to The Great Accordion Concert
Teacher Lesson 13 : Concluding Thoughts

Read the final section Back to School

Discuss the entire essay as a whole

Plan your conclusion
Listen to Goodbye Silver Hello Sticks & Back to School
Good Conclusion
Teacher Lesson 14 & 15 : Interviewing Authors and Reviewing

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

Revise your essay with peers
