Personal Narratives

                                           
Last week, seventh graders were given the task of writing a "slice-of-life" narrative.  We discussed how, often, the smallest moments in our lives make the best stories. For instance, do you remember your first rollercoaster ride?  Or your first time swimming in the ocean? Do you remember driving home with your first pet?  Students brainstormed narrative topics that would allow them to both reflect on an experience and showcase their skill at descriptive writing.

They worked hard to make their narratives interesting for a reader. This required including enough sensory details so a reader could accurately picture the event. 
We used the metaphor of looking at something through binoculars.  The students needed to give enough details --the best details--so readers could "zoom in" on the action.

Below, I've included some excerpts from their work.


Here is the beginning of Jack's story about a childhood game of hide-and-seek or "manhunt".  He does a really nice job of hooking his reader.

"I was more alert than a mouse hiding from a cat; my palms were sweaty and there were only two of us left.  I shivered as I heard them walking by, searching. "


In David D.'s story, titled "Leap of Faith," he describes landing a ski jump. His story is filled with great sensory details like the "cold air whistling through [his] helmet."  Moreover, he includes a nice reflection: "I felt victorious, like I could do anything.  Now that I look back on it, I know not to go that way again; however, I also know not to worry about things I think I can't do."


Brooke's story, titled "Salt in the Air- Sand in My Hair," describes the experience of being knocked down by a wave and dragged along the ocean floor.  When Brooke finally emerged from the water, her hair had "flipped on top of [her] head and was sticking up." Later, this detail is used to comic effect in her reflection: "I learned never to turn my back on the ocean and never to go swimming when the waves are so rough.  I also learned to wear my hair up when I'm in the ocean."

Nice work, everyone!