Unit Plan 4 (Grade 1 ELA): Building a Small-Moment Narrative

Focus: Beginning–middle–end; temporal words; sense details

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing • Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Writers zoom in on one small moment and tell it in order. This week students learn to plan a beginning–middle–end, use temporal words (first, next, then, finally), add sense details to show what it felt like, and revise with teacher/peer support to make their sentences clear and correct.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Write a small-moment narrative recounting two or more sequenced events with a beginning, middle, and end (W.1.3).
2. Use temporal words to signal event order and include at least one sense detail to describe the moment (W.1.3).
3. With guidance, revise and edit to add details and respond to feedback (W.1.5).
4. Apply basic conventions (capitals, spaces, end marks; phonetic/invented spelling with word wall) in complete sentences (L.1.2).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1

• W.1.3 Write narratives recounting 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.
• W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults/peers, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions, and add details to strengthen writing.
• L.1.2 Demonstrate command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can tell my small moment with a beginning, middle, and end.
• I used first/next/then/finally (or similar) to show order.
• I added at least one sense detail (what I saw/heard/felt/said).
• I used capitals, spaces, and a period (or ?/!) in my sentences.
• I revised one place to make my writing clearer.