Students write narratives

Courtesy photo/Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

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Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School recently implemented a new writing program, Step Up to Writing from Sopris Learning. Teachers are able to provide a common writing language throughout all grade levels and content areas using multiple strategies for each phase of the writing process. The program uses hands-on writing strategies and activities that help students proficiently write narrative, expository and personal narrative pieces.

During the month of October, 4th graders at Our Lady of Lourdes wrote in the genre of personal narrative. Personal narratives offer students a chance to share an important story from their lives and a lesson they learned as a result of it.

Students worked hard, generating ideas and organizing their thoughts. They used story maps to show the beginning, middle, and end and learned how to use transitions to help the storyline flow. Students focused on using descriptive words to create pictures in the reader’s mind. Learning the proper way to write an introduction and conclusion, they were able to effectively share their purpose for writing.

After students created their rough drafts, they learned editing marks, and how to edit a paper. Following multiple peer edits and a final edit from their teacher, students created their work to be published.

To celebrate their hard work and success, the 4th grade hosted a Publication Celebration to share their personal narratives with family and friends. Visitors enjoyed coffee and doughnuts while listening to the creative and descriptive accounts of important events from the children’s lives.

Courtesy of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School