Writing a Short Narrative

After considering the topics that the class I am placed in is currently covering, I chose the one that I noticed many of the students seemed to be the least enthusiastic about which was writing a narrative. I was informed by my MT that NAPLAN testing usually has a narrative component and along with this narrative writing is a unit Incorporated to encourage imagination and creativity along with encouraging students to READ.

After considering this I spent some time searching YouTube and the videos I found on narrative writing and short story writing were about as exiting as watching paint dry, so if the students were reluctant already they would be even less motivated after viewing these! (Anyone that knows any great resources for this topic please let me know!)

The pedagogical rationale for choosing the video featured above was that it is an excellent example (I think so anyway!) of a short narrative and would be a great introduction to the topic. After playing the video, students would be informed on the components of a short narrative and asked to identify these components in the video narrative. This supports Student Centred Learning as well as the Learning Engagement Theory.

I think using an interesting video such as this as an introduction to the topic also addresses Dimension one, Attitudes and perceptions in the Dol's. Opening a learning topic with something interesting designed to gain attention would assist the students to develop positive attitudes and perceptions regarding the classroom task which they are required to complete.

Reference:

Marzano, R. J., & Pickering, D. J. (with Arrendondo, D. E., Paynter, D. E., Blackburn, G. J., Brandt, R. S., Pollock, J.E., Moffett, C.A & Whisler, J. S.). (1997). Dimensions of learning teacher’s manual (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.