Are you looking for resources to teach narrative writing? I have you covered! Check out my Narrative Writing Prompts & Worksheets for the kindergarten-4th grade. There is a variety of prompts and worksheets to use in your room. Plus they are low-prep; just print and teach!
KINDERGARTEN Narrative WRITING PROMPTS AND WORKSHEETS
Teaching narrative writing can be difficult in kindergarten since they are working on handwriting, letters, sounds, and sight words. I have created some simple worksheets and writing prompts for little learners that will encourage them to use their imagination and practice their writing skills!
Students can draw pictures to represent their narratives. They can also write one word answers to prompts (either on their own, with adult support, or copied from the teacher). Drawing illustrations is the first step that kinders need to take towards becoming great writers.
Next, they can begin to write a single sentence (perhaps with adult support or dictation). But either way, it’s important for kindergarten students to verbally share their stories and represent their narratives in written or picture format.
When I created these narrative writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there are lots of options. Some prompts are easier and others are less scaffolded. The options are –
1.) Look at the pictures and write a word or sentence for each one
2.) Draw two pictures and write two parts of a story
3.) Draw a picture and complete the sentence on dotted lines
4.) Draw a picture and write on dotted lines
5.) Draw three pictures and write a sentence for three parts of a narrative
You can pick the format that suits your students. Meet them where they are at!
Here’s a look at the common core standard for kindergarten narrative writing:
KINDERGARTEN
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.3
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.
“This resource will really help students with narrative writing!” – Christie M.
Click here to check out my kindergarten narrative writing prompts and worksheets.
FIRST GRADE Narrative WRITING PROMPTS AND WORKSHEETS
First grade is similar to kindergarten, in that some students may not be able to write a bunch of sentences or page-long stories yet but most first graders will know their letters and sounds and many sight words. They will love being able to write their own narratives and share their imagination!
Firsties can complete sentences that have starters provided like, ‘One day I met a unicorn…’ They can write one sentence or several to share their adventure and then draw a picture to complete the worksheet.
When I created these narrative writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there is lots of variety in the prompts and sentence requirements –
1.) First, then, next, last…
2.) Write about what happens in the pictures
3.) If I…
4.) Finish the sentence then draw a picture
5.) Write about what happened at a certain event…
The prompts are still full of engaging clip art to color in and some of them have picture boxes too. This way, students get to color and draw so that the activity is fun (and accessible for emergent writers).
Here’s a look at the common core standard for first-grade narrative writing:
FIRST GRADE
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3
Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.
Don’t wait any longer! Click here to grab the first grade narrative writing prompts!
“This was helpful in activating students prior knowledge about their experiences to help with personal narrative writing.” – Megan M.
SECOND GRADE Narrative WRITING PROMPTS AND WORKSHEETS
Second graders are more proficient writers and are able to put down a few sentences to tell their thoughts. Narrative writing is a great tool to encourage them to think outside of the box and it may help quiet students find an outlet.
They can use linking words like ‘also’ as they move from one reason to the next. It is important for 2nd graders to understand that their narrative writing needs an introduction and a closing.
When I created these narrative writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there were prompts with lots of scaffolding and others with just lines.
As you start your narrative writing unit (or the school year), you can offer prompts that are very structured and students just fill in the gaps. As your students become stronger at narrative writing (or writing in general), they can write completely on their own!
This is great for differentiation. Your advanced writers can write on the plain lines and work independently. Your emergent writers can have more support.
Here’s a look at the common core standard for second grade narrative writing:
SECOND GRADE
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.3
Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
“I used this for a narrative writing unit and the students loved the fun and engaging topics. It allowed them to focus on the structure but also be involved and creative!!” – Corrin F.
Click here to check out my second grade narrative writing prompts and worksheets.
Fun fact – If you sign up for my free resource library here, you’ll get access to one narrative writing prompt for free! It comes in 5 versions (k-4th grade).
THIRD GRADE Narrative WRITING PROMPTS AND WORKSHEETS
Third graders are usually able to write detailed narrative writing pieces. They can offer two to three strong ideas to tell a narrative story. By third grade, it’s also ideal if students are adding details and examples to support their main storyline.
Third graders definitely need to have an introduction and a closing.
Here’s a look at the common core standards for third grade narrative writing:
THIRD GRADE
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.3.3.A
Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3.B
Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3.C
Use temporal words and phrases to signal event order.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3.D
Provide a sense of closure.
It’s so important for students to be engaged during writing lessons. If students lose interest in the topic, they begin to resent writing and become reluctant writers. That’s why I created so many different prompts to choose from in these narrative writing prompts and worksheets. Students get to write about delicious food, cute animals, and activities that they love (just to name a few)!
“Great resource for back to school when you are trying to gauge student writing ability.” -Kyndall B.
Click here to grab the third grade narrative writing prompts!
FOURTH GRADE Narrative WRITING PROMPTS AND WORKSHEETS
Unlike kindergarteners, fourth grade students are expected to write detailed narrative essays! They need to support their storyline with facts and details. They are also expected to use more complex linking words such as, ‘for instance…’
Here’s a look at the common core standards for fourth grade narrative writing:
FOURTH GRADE
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.A
Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.B
Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
Although fourth graders are often independent and proficient writers, it’s still important for narrative writing to be fun and accessible. That’s why I have included engaging topics, cute clip art, and scaffolding in these narrative writing prompts and worksheets. In short, a blank piece of paper can really make a writing lesson dull. These prompts are sure to make narrative writing more fun.
“Great daily practice for my students. It was easy to adapt for my high and low writers. Kids liked to creative writing prompts too!!” –Monster Sauce
Click here to check out my fourth grade narrative writing prompts and worksheets.
FREE PROMPT
I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out my narrative writing prompts and worksheets for kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade!
Guess what? You can try one of these prompts for free here.
Have a terrific day,
P.S. If you need some Opinion Writing Prompts for kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, or fourth grade; check out my post here!
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