Story Crafting Fun

Overview

Duration: 40 minutes
Class size: 27 students
Age group: First Class (typically 6-7 years old)
Curriculum: IE Primary Language Curriculum (PLC) – Narrative Writing Focus

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Learning Objectives (Aligned to IE Curriculum)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Compose simple narratives using clear and logical sequencing of ideas (PLC - Writing: Composition).
• Use vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to their age and experience (PLC - Writing: Language Use).
• Engage in oral storytelling to support writing through imagination and expression (PLC - Oral Language).
• Plan a narrative by arranging ideas using prompts and illustrations (PLC - Writing: Planning).

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Materials Needed

• Story prompt cards with pictures (e.g., characters, settings, simple conflict)
• Plain paper and crayons/coloured pencils
• Story sequencing strips with 4-5 images
• A “Story Box” containing small toys or puppets for storytelling
• Whiteboard and markers
• “My First Story” worksheet for drawing and writing sentences (custom-made with space for 4 pictures and simple sentences)

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-up: Story Circle (7 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Teacher shows an interesting puppet or toy from the Story Box and says: "Let’s tell a story about my friend here!"
• Invite students, one by one, to add a sentence orally to build a shared story, encouraging imaginative and clear language.
• Emphasise beginning, middle, and end briefly by guiding them: “What happens first? Next? At the end?”
• IE Curriculum Link: Supports Oral Language skills and narrative comprehension through active participation.

2. Introduction: What is a Story? (5 minutes)

• Use whiteboard to draw three columns: Beginning, Middle, End.
• Show simple pictures (e.g., a child playing, a problem like a broken toy, then a solution).
• Discuss what happens in each part and highlight key vocabulary (e.g., “Once upon a time”, “Then”, “Finally”).
• Relate to stories they already know.
• IE Curriculum Link: Supports language structure awareness and sequencing skills.

3. Hands-On Activity: Creating Our Own Story (18 minutes)

• Divide class into small groups of 4-5, giving each group: a Story prompt card, sequencing strips, crayons and paper.
• Step 1: Groups discuss what story their pictures can tell — teacher facilitates by asking guiding questions:
  • “Who are the characters?”
  • “What is happening?”
  • “What happens at the end?”
• Step 2: Each student draws their own mini storyboard on the worksheet, illustrating part of the story.
• Step 3: Students write one simple sentence about their picture with teacher support—using familiar vocabulary and sentence starters (“First, …”, “Next, …”, “Then, …”, “Finally, …”).
• Teacher circulates, providing scaffolding and prompting vocabulary use.
• IE Curriculum Link: Focus on Writing (Composition, Planning, Language Use) and Development of Fine Motor Skills.

4. Sharing Stories (7 minutes)

• Invite volunteers to share their storyboards and read sentences aloud.
• Encourage peers to listen and give a “clap” or “thumbs up” feedback.
• Emphasise positive reinforcement and valuing different story ideas.
• IE Curriculum Link: Enhances Oral Language skills and confidence in public speaking.

5. Conclusion & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Recap the steps: “We told a story with a beginning, middle, and end.”
• Ask: “What did you enjoy about making your story?”
• Discuss how stories help us share ideas and feelings.
• Highlight the homework suggestion: Draw a picture of their own story at home with a family member.

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Assessment

• Observe student participation during group discussions and oral storytelling.
• Review storyboards and sentences for logical sequence, vocabulary use, and attempt at sentence formation.
• Use informal questioning to check understanding of story structure.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters or word banks for students needing extra help.
• Extend: Encourage more able students to add descriptive words or two sentences per picture.
• Use peer support within groups to foster collaboration.

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Teacher’s Notes & Tips

• Encourage expressive language during storytelling – tone, gestures, and facial expressions.
• Use multiple media (drawing, speaking, writing) to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Keep the atmosphere playful and relaxed; first learners of narrative writing thrive on confidence and creativity over accuracy at this stage.
• Link stories to personal experiences to deepen meaning.

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This lesson plan follows the IE Primary Language Curriculum’s emphasis on narrative writing development through integrated oral and written language activities, hands-on engagement, and scaffolding approaches tailored to early primary learners. It uses interactive storytelling and creative drawing to foster foundational writing skills in an age-appropriate, joyful way that truly “wows” young learners.