Crafting Engaging Narratives

Year Level

Year 5

Duration

61 minutes

Class Size

18 students

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Australian Curriculum Links

English - Year 5

• AC9E5LY06: Plan, create, edit and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, using appropriate form, content and vocabulary for different purposes and audiences.
• ACELA1507: Understand how texts vary in complexity and technicality depending on the approach to the topic, the purpose and the intended audience.
• ACELY1701: Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts containing key information and supporting details for a widening range of audiences, demonstrating increasing control over text structures and language features.
• ACELY1702: Re-read and edit to improve meaning by adding, deleting or moving words or phrases to enhance the effectiveness of a text.

Priority focus: Developing skills in narrative writing including structuring a text with orientation, complication, and resolution, using descriptive language and complex sentences to engage readers .

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the key components of a narrative: orientation, complication, and resolution.
• Plan and develop a short narrative in sequenced parts, building tension and interest.
• Use descriptive language and complex sentences to engage the audience.
• Work collaboratively to create and share narrative ideas.

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Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Paper/notebooks
• Writing pencils/coloured pencils
• Narrative structure graphic organiser (orientation, complication, resolution)
• Story starter prompts
• Timer for intervals
• Anchor chart on descriptive language and linking words
• Example narrative text (age-appropriate)

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Lesson Structure

Introduction & Orientation (0 - 15 minutes)

1. Engage (5 min):
   Begin with reading a short, engaging narrative extract aloud to the class, focusing on identifying the orientation, complication, and resolution parts. Use a large print or projected text.

   • Prompt with questions:
     • What is the story about (orientation)?
     • What problem or complication happens?
     • How is the problem solved?
   • Discuss vocabulary and sentence structure used to create interest.

2. Introduce (10 min):
   Display and explain the narrative structure graphic organiser.

   • Orientation: setting the scene, introducing characters
   • Complication: introducing a problem or challenge
   • Resolution: how the problem is solved
     Use simple and relatable examples.
   • Show examples of descriptive language and connectives to sequence ideas.

Development Phase - Planning & First Draft (16 - 30 minutes)

3. Guided Planning (15 min):
   • Provide students with story starter prompts (e.g., "One sunny morning in the bush, I discovered...", "Suddenly, a big problem appeared when...").
   • Students individually complete the graphic organiser filling in the three parts for their narrative.
   • Encourage use of descriptive adjectives and complex sentences — prompt with sentence starters such as "Suddenly...", "I felt...", "Because of this...".
   • Teacher circulates and supports: scaffolding sentence structure and vocabulary.

Expansion Phase - Writing & Collaborative Work (31 - 45 minutes)

4. Writing & Peer Sharing (15 min):
   • Students write the first 2 parts of their narrative: orientation and complication.
   • After 10 minutes of writing, pair students up to share their story beginnings. Partners ask questions about the story setting and problem to deepen understanding and add ideas.
   • Encourage oral feedback focusing on clarity and engagement.

Resolution & Sharing (46 - 61 minutes)

5. Complete Narratives & Group Sharing (15 min):
   • Students write the resolution section of their narrative.
   • When finished, invite 4-5 students to share their complete narratives in small groups or to the teacher.
   • Teacher highlights use of descriptive language, narrative flow and emotional impact.
   • If time permits, students edit one descriptive sentence or improve a sentence using linking words.

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Differentiation and Support

• Provide sentence starters and vocabulary word banks for students who need additional support.
• Encourage more capable students to use figurative language (similes, metaphors) or multiple complications.
• Allow oral storytelling for students with writing difficulties, recording their narrative orally before writing.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative assessment of completed narrative graphic organisers for understanding of narrative structure.
• Observe student participation in peer sharing for engagement and comprehension.
• Assess written narratives for inclusion of orientation, complication and resolution, as well as use of descriptive language and complex sentences.

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Extension Ideas (if time permits or for homework)

• Students can illustrate their narrative to create a picture book page.
• Create a class narrative where each student contributes a paragraph, building on the previous section creatively.

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This lesson plan is crafted to build foundational narrative writing skills aligned with the Australian Curriculum Year 5 English standards, breaking the lesson into three clear 15-minute intervals aligned with the teacher's instructions. It provides engaging, scaffolded opportunities for individual thinking, collaboration, and creative expression while maintaining a focus on curriculum outcomes and age-appropriate expectations .