Mini-Lesson Template: Stretching Out A Small Moment Story printable pdf download

Mini-Lesson: Stretching Out a Small Moment Story

Intention (Skill): Stretching Out a Small Moment Story

Teaching Point (Strategy): One way that writers stretch out their small moment story is by

writing not just what they saw, but also how they felt.

Connection: I’ve heard that you guys have been writing up a storm already! I’m so glad that

you’re working hard on writing true, small-moment stories. Now that you’re in ____ grade, I

think you’re ready to really stretch those small moments out. Today, I want to teach you one

way to stretch out your small moment stories. You can do this by writing not only what you

saw, but also how you felt.

Roller Coaster

Teach: Let me show you what I mean. This book,

by Marla Frazee, is a

great example of a small moment that has really been stretched out! This whole book is

about one ride on a roller coaster! Right here in the beginning, Marla Frazee writes what

she sees. She says, “The roller coaster is very big and very noisy. You must be tall

enough to ride it.” She could have stopped there, but she decided to stretch it out, so she

didn’t just say what she saw. She said how she felt too. “But sometimes even those who

are tall enough decide they don’t want to. (Lots of people change their mind about riding the

roller coaster at the very last minute.)” Did you notice how Marla Frazee didn’t just say what

she saw, but she also included some feeling words?

Active Engagement: Now it’s your turn to try it. (If they don’t have partners already…) Today,

I’m going to give you a writing partner. This is REALLY important because this person will

be your best helper during writer’s workshop today. When I tell you who your partner is, I

want you to quietly and quickly find them and sit knee-to-knee with them. Then you’re going

to think of your small moment story, and you’re going to tell it to your partner. You’re going

to practice stretching it out by saying not just what you saw, but also how you felt about it.

(Listen in to partnerships as they try. Share one partnership that was doing well.)

Link: So today, and any time you’re writing a small moment story, I hope you’ll remember that

you’re the kind of writer who knows how to stretch it out. You can do that by saying not

just what you saw, but also how you felt. I’m going to be looking for someone who’s

stretching out their small moment today. I’ll choose one to share at the end of writing time.

Share: During conferences, look for students trying strategy; make them famous!

Mini-Lesson Template: Stretching Out A Small Moment Story