Unit Plan 5 (Grade 1 ELA): Strong Beginnings & Endings in Narratives

Focus: Leads, transitions, endings that fit the story

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing • Language)

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

I. Introduction

This week, writers learn to hook readers with strong beginnings (leads), connect ideas with transitions and conjunctions, and craft endings that make sense for the story. Students will revise a small-moment draft to include a purposeful lead, clear transitions between events, and a satisfying closure—while checking capitals, spaces, and punctuation.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Draft or revise a small-moment narrative to include a strong lead, clear event order with transitions, and an ending/closure that fits the story (W.1.3).
2. Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, so, because) to connect ideas and signal relationships (L.1.1f).
3. Edit for conventions—capitals, spaces, and end punctuation—so sentences are clear (L.1.2).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1

• W.1.3 Write narratives recounting two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.
• L.1.1f Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, because).
• L.1.2 Demonstrate command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Success Criteria — student language

• I started my story with a lead (action/sound/setting/question) that makes readers want to keep reading.
• I used transition words and conjunctions (and, but, so, because) so my story flows.
• My story ends with an ending that fits (action/feeling/wish/lesson).
• I checked capitals, spaces, and end marks in my sentences.