Exploring Narrative Texts Year 1 and Year 2

What are Narrative Texts? Narrative texts tell a story. They have: a setting – where and when some characters – people, animals or objects a plot – events that happen in order.

Narrative Writing - Fairy Tales A fairy tale is a narrative text. It is a make-believe story that usually includes magical elements. Fairy tales are commonly set in a faraway land. They usually start with the phrase, Once upon a time. Fairy tale characters often include children, animals and magical creatures. There is normally a hero who must defeat or outsmart a villain. Most fairy tales end with the phrase, They all lived happily ever after.

Fairy Tales - Activity As a class, brainstorm fairy tales that: start with Once upon a time have magical elements have a hero and a villain end with They all lived happily ever after.

Narrative Writing - Text Structure Beginning/Opening (orientation) Who is in the story? When does the story happen? Where does the story take place? Problem (complication) What is the problem? What events lead to the solution? (Resolution) How is the problem resolved? Ending (Coda) What lesson is learned? By the character or the reader

Narrative Writing - Text Structure Little Red Riding Hood Listen to the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Who are the characters? What is the setting? What is the problem? What is the sequence of events? How is the problem resolved?

Text Structure - Beginning (Orientation) Setting (when and where) Once upon a time, in the woods Characters (who) Little Red Riding Hood, Grandmother, the wolf and the woodsman

Text Structure - Middle (Complication) The wolf tricks Little Red Riding Hood into taking another path so he can beat her to Grandmother’s house.

Text Structure - Series of Events The wolf runs to Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother’s house. He hides Grandmother in the cupboard. The wolf tries to trick Little Red Riding Hood by dressing up as her Grandmother and getting into her bed. Little Red Riding Hood discovers that the wolf has disguised himself as her grandmother. She screams out for help.

Text Structure - Ending (Resolution) A woodsman arrives to scare off the wolf.

Narrative Text Structure - Activity Little Red Riding Hood Complete the Story Map worksheet for Little Red Riding Hood.

Narrative Writing - Text Structure Hansel and Gretel Listen to the story of Hansel and Gretel. Who are the characters? What is the setting? What is the problem? What is the sequence of events? How is the problem resolved?

Text Structure - Beginning (Orientation) Setting Once upon a time, in the woods Characters Hansel, Gretel, the woodcutter and the witch.

Text Structure - Middle (Complication) The family have no food. The woodcutter sends Hansel and Gretel out into the woods to find some. Hansel and Gretel get lost.

Text Structure - Series of Events Hansel and Gretel find a house made out of sweets. The wicked witch invites the children in and gives them food to eat. The wicked witch puts Hansel into a cage and wants to eat him.

Text Structure - Ending (Resolution) Gretel pushes the wicked witch into the oven. Hansel and Gretel run away with the witch’s pearls and jewels. They never have to worry about money ever again.

Narrative Text Structure - Activity Hansel and Gretel Complete the Story Map worksheet for Hansel and Gretel.

Narrative Writing – Character Building Appearance What does the character look like? Character Traits What personal qualities does the character have? Feelings What type of feelings does the character experience?

Character Building - Appearance How old are they? What type of hair do they have? What colour are their eyes? What type of clothes are they wearing? What body shape do they have? Are they wearing any special accessories? e.g. glasses or a cape

Character Building – Appearance Kate Kate has rosy red cheeks. Kate wears pink and purple clothes. Kate has long black hair. Kate has sparkling white teeth. Kate has pink shoes.

Character Building – Appearance Bobby Bobby likes to wear red clothes. Bobby has black glasses. Bobby has fair skin. Bobby has a big smile. Bobby has blue shoes.

Character Building – Character Traits Is the character… mean? shy? intelligent? mischievous? sneaky? considerate?

Character Building – Character Traits Toby the tiger was cheeky. Toby the tiger was smart. Toby the tiger was curious. Toby the tiger was brave.

Character Building – Character Traits Suzie the scientist was smart. Suzie the scientist was hard-working. Suzie the scientist was curious. Suzie the scientist was proud. Suzie the scientist was friendly.

Character Building – Feelings Is the character feeling… excited? angry? sad? surprised? happy? scared? What might have happened to the character to make them feel this way?

Character Building – Feelings How do you think this character is feeling? Jane felt angry when she saw the rubbish on the beach.

Character Building – Feelings How do you think this character is feeling? Sasha felt scared when she saw the lightning outside.

Character Building - Activity Chose one of the following characters. Use a Character Profile worksheet to describe their appearance, traits and feelings. Red Riding Hood Big Bad Wolf Witch Gretel Hansel

Narrative Writing – Language Features Nouns A noun is a person, place or thing. Adjectives An adjective describes the noun. Verbs A verb is a doing word. Adverbs An adverb describes the verb.

Narrative Writing – Language Features The cheeky girls whisper quietly under the big oak tree.

Narrative Writing – Language Features The fluffy dog hides happily in the autumn leaves.

Language Features - Activity Use a noun, adjective, verb and adverb to describe this picture.

Narrative Writing - Activity Choose one of the images on the following slides. As a class, brainstorm a setting, character, problem and solution for your chosen images. Record your ideas on the Story Map template. As a class, write a narrative based on your brainstorm.