Jan 05
Teaching narrative hooks is one of the most effective ways to help students strengthen their storytelling skills. Students love writing stories, but crafting a strong opening isn’t always easy. Many begin with “One day…” or “Hi, my name is…”—not exactly gripping starts. The good news? Students can learn clear patterns for writing powerful narrative hooks. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2665
Oct 06
If there’s one topic that instantly gets upper elementary students talking, it’s superheroes. Instead of battling their obsession (we all remember the Great Spider-Man Drawing Phase of September), why not harness it for learning? These superhero writing activities turn capes, villains, and secret identities into creative writing gold. I’ve pulled together five of my favorite …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7640
Aug 25
Varying sentences is one of those sneaky skills students often overlook until their writing starts sounding like a robot stuck on repeat. While young writers often default to short and choppy or run-on sentences, mastering sentence variation is key to creating engaging writing. But don’t worry; I’ve got fun strategies (and some teacher-tested survival tips!) …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2675
Aug 18
Let’s face it—terms like retell, recount, and summarize are tossed around in ELA standards like confetti, but their meanings can blur. If you’re an upper elementary teacher, you’ve likely scratched your head wondering, “Aren’t these all basically the same thing?” Short answer: not quite. Let’s unpack each term, explore the skills students need at different …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2688
Jul 03
Storytelling techniques are essential tools that help bring narratives to life and captivate readers’ imaginations. By learning storytelling techniques—like foreshadowing, flashbacks, and plot twists—students can take their writing to the next level. These techniques don’t just make stories more fun to read; they also help students grow as writers. When students learn to use strategies …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1629
Dec 05
Most students will be able to say that the setting of a story is where and when the story takes place; however, writing a setting is a whole new story (pun intended). This lesson includes five activities that help students write descriptive settings for their narratives. The handout for this blog post is now available …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7491
May 17
Have you ever read a student narrative that was written as one long paragraph? Knowing when to make new paragraphs comes naturally to some students, but not others. This article goes over five rules to teach. Begin by downloading the teaching materials for this lesson. Get teaching materials for this lesson here. Paragraphs Rule …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2683
