Curated OER
Story Starter-- Frog Conversation
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of four frogs deciding what do for fun. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starter-- Edgar the Astronaut
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of a boy taking a space walk. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starter- Hungry Baby Bird
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of a baby bird who is crying for a meal. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starter-- Golden Cat Tries To Nap
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of a golden cat whose nap is disturbed by noisy bluebirds. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starters-- Two Moms in the Park
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of two mothers chatting in a park. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starters-- Kelly And Her Kitty
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of a little girl and her favorite kitty. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starter-- The Fish Who Hid
In this writing worksheet, students examine a colorful picture of three fish playing a hiding game in an aquarium. Students read the story starter and finish the story.
Curated OER
Story Starter-- The Cat And the Bag
In this writing worksheet, students study a color picture of a cat peeking into a paper bag. Students read the story starter and finish the story on the lines provided.
Curated OER
Let's Help the E Out!
Students explore the short /e/ sound. They practice making the sound, noticing how their mouths move to make the sound. They use letterboxes to spell and write 'e' words. They listen for the /e/ sound in a story and then write their own...
Curated OER
The Mysterious Tadpole
Second graders examine books written by Steven Kellogg, looking for similarities in his illustrations. They also look at images found on the Internet. They listen to a read aloud of The Mysterious Tadpole up to the point where the eggs...
Curated OER
Elements of a Short Story
Students read a short story and then map out the elements of a short story using "Inspiration" software. They read 'Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allen Poe.
Curated OER
Predictions, Predictions, and More Predictions
Third graders pose questions about the subject of a short story based on the title and cover illustration; then read the story and determine if their questions actually pertained to the story line, and, if so, how the story answered the...
Curated OER
Stories
Students examine the book, I Wish I Didn't Have to Sleep, and examine Haring's work. They create stories about Keith Haring's pictures.
Curated OER
What will you be for Halloween?
First graders construct a story sticking to the topic with 2-4 sentences.
Curated OER
The Time I Got Lost
Third graders go through the writing process but substitute paper and pencil with the computer to create a story about "The Time I Got Lost".
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Sea Creatures
This video segment from Nature features various sea creatures. [5:52]
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How to Write Descriptively
The point of fiction is to cast a spell, a momentary illusion that you are living in the world of the story. But how do writers suck readers into stories in this way? Nalo Hopkinson shares some tips for how to use language to make your...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Story Writing With Arthur
This series of 12 downloadable activities teach students some basics of story writing, using books or videos from the PBS "Arthur" series as a springboard. Activities include creating story maps, asking questions about characters and...
Crayola
Crayola: Turkey Tales (Lesson Plan)
This is a fun writing activity your learners will enjoy doing together. Children each write part of the story, then pass it on to the next person to add to. Includes adaptations and resources. (To access this lesson plan, you must...
New Zealand Ministry of Education
Nz Ministry of Education: Conflict and War
This lesson requires three writing assignments on the topic or war or conflict: 1. Once familiar with the language, types, rhyme and metre used in poetry, students then write their own. They are given a selection of types to write, and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Storytelling: Writers' Workshop
Students draw on their understanding of different types of narratives to inspire and enrich their own storytelling. This is one of four storytelling lessons.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Reach: Recipe for Writing!
REACH for more! Be an author! Write and illustrate your very own story by mixing up a simple recipe of WHO, WHERE, WHAT, and ENDING.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Writer's Model: Writing a Short Story
This seven-page example is of a short story entitled "T-formity." Clicking on the "Writer's Guide" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page enables the user to get tips, directions, and explanations on the essay.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Short Adventure Stories
Inspired by the interactive plot ideas here, writers will create an original three-paragraph adventure story. First, each writer will create an original adventurer. Next, each writer will place the adventurer in a brief, organized...