How do you organize your thoughts when writing to a

prompt?

In this lesson, you will plan your writing by using boxes and bullets to organize each

part of your narrative.

Let’s Review

Imagine that one day during recess, you and a friend stumble across a wooden box hidden under some leaves. The box has a lock on it and appears to be very old. Write a story that tells what happens next.

Let’s Review

A Common Mistake

Planning only the what and not thinking about what details you will use to show the

reader what happens!

First I saw ducks at the zoo. Then we saw hippos and then

I got an ice cream to eat.

Core LessonMake a box for the beginning.1

2 In the box write what happens in the beginning.

3 Below the box put bullets telling how you show that event (sensory details, dialogue, etc).

4 Repeat for the middle and the end.

Core Lesson

1Beginning

Core Lesson

2 Beginning

While out at recess, my friend Carolyn and I find an old box buried in some leaves.

Core Lesson

3

What do I see during these

events?

What do I say? Smell? Feel?

Beginning

While out at recess, my friend Carolyn and I find an old box buried in some leaves.

Core Lesson

Beginning

While out at recess, my friend Carolyn and I find an old box buried in some leaves.

• The leaves sound crunchy.• “Whoa, do you see that over there?” I say.• The box feels dirty and dusty.

3

Core Lesson

• The rock is heavy in my hand.• The treasure is glittering and shining in the

sun.

4 Middle

We decide to open it. It takes a couple tries but we pry it open with a rock. Inside is what looks like buried treasure!

Core LessonMake a box for the beginning.1

2 In the box write what happens in the beginning.

3 Below the box put bullets telling how you show that event (sensory details, dialogue, etc.)

4 Repeat for the middle and the end.

In this lesson, you have learned how to plan your

writing by using boxes and bullets to organize each part of

your narrative.

Guided Practice

Read the prompt below. Using the steps from this lesson, make a boxes-bullets outline of your story.

Imagine that one day you come home and sitting in front of your front door is a dog. It looks hungry and lost. Write a story that tells what happens next.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

Read each statement below. Decide if the statement shows the reader what happens or only just tells what happens.

The treasure is in the box.

The leaves crunch under my feet.

The box is sitting in the leaves.

I feel the excitement building in my chest.

Let’s ReviewQuick Quiz

Read the prompt below. Using the steps from this lesson, make a boxes-bullets outline of your story.

Imagine that one day you and a friend are at a slumber party. When you wake up, you both discover you are able to turn invisible while nobody else seems to have this unusual skill. Write a story that tells what happens next.