**Lesson Plan: Writing Narratives and Informational Texts**
**Grade:** 3rd Grade
**Subject:** Language Arts
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Topic:** Writing Narratives and Informational Texts
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### **Objectives:**
1. Students will understand the structure of a narrative and an informational text.
2. Students will be able to write their own short narrative.
3. Students will be able to write a brief informational text on a given topic.
### **Materials:**
- Chart paper and markers
- Graphic organizers for narrative and informational texts
- Writing paper
- Pencils
- Example narrative and informational text passages
- Smartboard or whiteboard
- Interactive writing prompts
### **Standards:**
- Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Writing:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
### **Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. Begin the lesson with a brief discussion on what students know about narratives and informational texts.
2. Use chart paper to list key characteristics of both narratives (e.g., beginning, middle, end, characters, setting, plot) and informational texts (e.g., facts, headings, topic sentences, supporting details).
3. Display examples of a short narrative and an informational text on the smartboard. Read through both passages highlighting their structures.
### **Direct Instruction (15 minutes):**
1. **Narrative Writing:** Explain that narratives tell a story and usually have a sequence of events (beginning, middle, end).
- **Example:**
- Beginning: Introduce characters and setting.
- Middle: Present a problem or challenge.
- End: Offer a resolution or conclusion.
2. **Informational Writing:** Explain that informational texts provide facts and details about a specific topic. They are structured to educate or inform the reader.
- **Example:**
- Introduction: Present the topic.
- Body: Provide facts and details.
- Conclusion: Summarize the information.
3. Introduce graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts before writing. Show an example of each type of organizer (e.g., plot diagram for narratives, main idea and details chart for informational texts).
### **Guided Practice (15 minutes):**
1. **Narrative Writing Practice:**
- Give students a writing prompt such as "Write a story about a day when everything went wrong."
- Ask students to use the narrative graphic organizer to outline their story.
- Walk around and offer support as needed.
2. **Informational Writing Practice:**
- Provide a topic such as “The Life Cycle of a Butterfly.”
- Ask students to use the informational text graphic organizer to outline their facts and details.
- Assist students with identifying key points to include.
### **Independent Practice (15 minutes):**
1. **Narrative Writing:**
- Have students write a short narrative based on their outlined ideas.
2. **Informational Writing:**
- Have students write a brief informational text based on their outlined facts.
3. Encourage creativity and factual accuracy, and remind students to refer back to their organizers.
### **Conclusion (5 minutes):**
1. Select a few students to share their narratives and informational texts with the class.
2. Provide positive feedback and constructive suggestions.
3. Recap the lesson by asking students what the main differences are between narratives and informational texts.
### **Assessment:**
- Collect students' narratives and informational texts to assess their understanding of the structure and content required for each type of writing.
- Provide individual feedback based on the rubric for narrative and informational writing.
### **Differentiation:**
- **Advanced Students:** Encourage more complex narratives or provide a more challenging informational text topic.
- **Struggling Students:** Provide additional graphic organizers or more guided prompts. Offer one-on-one support if necessary.
- **ELL Students:** Use visual aids and simplified language. Pair with a buddy for assistance.
### **Homework:**
- Ask students to find a book at home or from the library that fits either the narrative or informational genre and bring it to class for discussion.
### **Reflection:**
- After the lesson, reflect on what went well and what areas need improvement. Adjust the next lesson based on student engagement and understanding.
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By incorporating direct instruction, guided practice, and independent practice, this lesson plan aims to help 3rd-grade students differentiate and excel in both narrative and informational writing.