How to Teach Narrative Writing in 2nd Grade: Simple Strategies and Engaging Writing Activities

Are you wondering How to Teach Narrative Writing and Story Elements? This print and digital resource Narrative Writing BUNDLE begins with bright visual writing slides, so students can visualize the step by step narrative formula for how to writing! Included are teacher notes, directions, lesson plan, whole class google slides for narrrative writing lessons about story elements, the writing process, character traits, story setting, conflict resolution and more. Also includes prewriting activities for brainstorming, story map graphic organizers and narrative writing graphic organizers.

The second unit of this bundle consists is putting the learning into practice with engaging 5Ws Worksheets with Word Bank Cards! Perfect for first grade, second grade and third grade as the writing template with lines and picture box packet consists of who what when where why worksheets!

What other educators are saying:                                                                                                                         

Rated 5 out of 5                                                                                                                                                                                   Extremely satisfied                                                                                                                                                                                   This resource was amazing! Not only did it help keep me on track with teaching writing, but my students were very excited to build upon their writing in a very constructive way! – Jennifer

Rated 5 out of 5
Extremely satisfied                                                                                                                                                                                    This was the perfect powerpoint to help introduce narrative writing for my 2nd graders. Thanks so much! – Claire

How to Teach Narrative Writing in 2nd Grade: Simple Strategies and Engaging Writing Activities

This Narrative Bundle consists of the following 2 products:

1. Fictional Narrative Writing PowerPoint Slides:

• What is a narrative?
• How to write a narrative
• Use Your Imagination
• Main Character
• Other Characters
• Setting
• Problem
• Resolution
• Map Out The Story
• Bobo the Bunny (main character)
• Ollie Owl and Carly Caterpillar (other characters)
• Hungry Wolf (problem)
• Bobo tricks wolf (resolution)
• Adjectives
• Narrative

Also includes the following pre-writing, differentiated narrative writing templates and story elements graphic organizers:

• Prewriting Bubble Map
• Story Map Graphic Organizer
• Narrative Writing Worksheet 1
• Narrative Writing Worksheet 2
• Narrative Writing Worksheet 3
• All writing template include a self-editing checklist (main character, other characters, setting, problem, resolution)

How to use this step-by-step resource:

1. Follow teacher notes

2. Display slides for whole class explicit teaching of story elements and narrative text features

3. Co-create a fun narrative with the samples

4. Print pre-writing and differentiated writing graphic organizers for students to write their own narratives

5. Invite students to share their completed work

6. Celebrate students’ efforts by displaying writing samples on a ‘Narrative Writing Bulletin Board.’

7. Set up a narrative writing center providing lots of narrative writing opportunities

How to Teach Narrative Writing in 2nd Grade: Simple Strategies and Engaging Writing Activities

2. 5Ws Narrative Writing Unit with Vocabulary Word Bank Cards:

This is comprehensive 80 page resource consists of the following:

• Step-by-Step Teacher Lesson + Notes
• Writing Curriculum Notes
• ‘My Writing Journal’ Cover Page

Each of the following writing prompts consists of 5W who, what, when, where, why self-editing checklist:

• Back to School
• Beach
• Community Helpers
• The Solar System
• Creepy Crawlies
• Animals
• Fruits
• The Beach
• Community Helpers
• The Solar System
• Celebrations
• Cinderella
• Food
• Musical Instruments
• Summer
• Winter
• My Classroom
• 2D Shapes in the World
• Front Cover Pages (to create a booklet)

Also includes the following topic vocabulary cards to scaffold writing, available in both color and b/w, to match each of the above writing topics:

• Back to School
• The Beach
• Community Helpers
• The Solar System
• Creepy Crawlies
• Animals
• Fruits
• Party
• Cinderella
• Food
• Musical Instruments
• Summer
• Winter
• My Classroom
• 2D Shapes in the World

7 reasons why these Vocabulary Cards and Matching Writing Prompts are an important part of the writing curriculum:

Supports Vocabulary Development: Picture word cards help students connect new words with visual images, making it easier for them to understand and remember the meanings of words. This visual association reinforces the learning process, especially for young learners who benefit from concrete representations.

Enhances Comprehension: When students can easily recognize and understand vocabulary, their ability to comprehend texts improves. Picture word cards provide a foundation for students to build their reading skills, as they can quickly identify words and their meanings in context.

Builds Word Recognition: Frequent exposure to vocabulary through picture word cards helps students recognize words more quickly. This automatic word recognition is crucial for developing fluency in reading.

Supports Diverse Learning Styles: Visual learners, in particular, benefit from the use of picture word cards. They provide an alternative method of learning that complements auditory and kinesthetic approaches, making vocabulary learning more accessible to all students.

Encourages Language Development: Picture word cards can be used in various activities that promote speaking and writing. For example, students can use the cards to create sentences, stories, or participate in discussions, thereby enhancing their language skills.

Interactive Learning: Picture word cards can be used in games and group activities, making learning more engaging and interactive. This not only keeps students interested but also reinforces their vocabulary in a fun and meaningful way.

Facilitates Differentiated Instruction: Teachers can use picture word cards to tailor lessons to different skill levels. For instance, advanced students might use the cards to create complex sentences, while beginners might focus on simple word recognition and matching activities.

How to Teach Narrative Writing in 2nd Grade: Simple Strategies and Engaging Writing Activities

How to use this resource step-by-step:

1. Writing Lesson: Introduce the writing prompt to the class by projecting on your smartboard for whole class instruction. Depending on your students’ writing abilities, model a writing activity.

2. Vocabulary Review: Show the class the vocabulary cards that they will be using as a writing support. Use the words in a either a simple, compound or complex sentence using adjectives to show students how to add interesting details to their writing

3. Assign Writing Activity: Provide each student with a writing prompt and their matching vocabulary card. Encourage students to incorporate the vocabulary words into their writing. For extension students, have them find synonyms for alternative words!

4. Peer Collaboration: In writing centers, encourage students to work collaborate with a partner to discuss their writing and the vocabulary they used. Encourage collaborative peer feedback and support.

5. Editing Process: After writing, have children reread and edit their work. Encourage students to read their partner’s writing.

6. Celebrate Students’ Writing: Shine the light on student! Invite children to share their writing with a partner, small group or class audience. As they read their writing aloud, encourage the audience to listen out for key vocabulary words in the text!

Ideal for:

• Whole Class Writing Lesson
• Guided Writing Small Group
• Writing Centers
• Writer’s Workshop
• Early Finisher Activities
• Homework
• Homeschool
• Summer School

Is this resource available in digital format too?

Yes! This resource comes in both print and digital formats, so you have the option of printing hard copies or assigning digital writing activities via EASEL (text overlay).

Which common cores standards does this resource cover?

CCSSW.1.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

CCSSW.1.3
Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.

CCSSW.2.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.

CCSSW.2.5
With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.

CCSSW.3.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

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