Sharing Small Moment Stories: Narrative Writing in 1/2

Sara Keller, Admissions and Communications Associate
Each year, whether it’s Year A or Year B, the 1/2 team launches Writing Workshop with a unit on Small Moment Stories. In the first couple months of school, the 1st and 2nd graders work on crafting personal narratives that zoom in and retell one small, vivid moment in time. Using a watermelon analogy as a teaching tool, the 1/2 teachers explain how a watermelon story represents a big topic, a watermelon slice is a smaller topic, and a seed story focuses on a small moment. For example, instead of writing about an entire vacation (a watermelon story), students first narrow it down to a specific day (slice story) and then choose one activity from that day (seed story). They draw inspiration from their own experiences, and this year, topics range from riding roller coasters to breaking an arm (ouch!) to the FCS Fall Fair. They plan carefully, breaking down the sequence of events and identifying the key elements of the story, before beginning to write their draft. Throughout the unit, the students are challenged to incorporate specific details to build up their story. By the end of the unit, students transform what began as a few simple sentences into pages of engaging, detailed storytelling.

Throughout the writing process, the teachers differentiate instruction to meet the varying academic levels of their multi-age students. Each student, regardless of grade level, is able to enter the unit at their own starting point and develop their writing at a pace suited to their individual needs. The teachers meet students where they are, and provide instruction, support, and challenge that matches each individual student level. This differentiated approach allows each student to receive tailored small group and one-on-one instruction, individualized challenge and constructive feedback, and to maximize their growth and engagement in Writing Workshop.

The decision to repeat this unit each year is intentional and impactful. It provides students with the opportunity to engage in a familiar writing project and build on the skills they have already started to develop. When starting the process for the second time, the 2nd graders are able to jump right in and take on a leadership role. They deepen their understanding of what elements enhance writing, and are able to take their new narratives steps further than the year before. For the 1st graders, the Small Moment Story unit serves as a welcoming introduction to writing as it encourages them to reflect on and share their own experiences. It also allows them to benefit from some extra teacher time since the 2nd graders are already familiar with the content. Repeating this unit also gives students the opportunity to witness their growth from 1st grade to 2nd grade, showcasing just how much their skills have developed in one year and providing an opportunity to see and celebrate their accomplishments.

This year, students completed their final drafts right before Halloween, giving their families the exciting opportunity to participate in a writer’s celebration after the Halloween parade. Students proudly shared their stories with their families and celebrated the conclusion of the first writing unit of the year! 

       
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