Grades 2–4
Rule of Three Story Planner
A story plan built on three tries: two that fail and one that works, then the draft.
Writing worksheet · Narrative writing organizers
Show, Don’t Tell
Four telling sentences (Lucy was happy, the dog was tired) to rewrite with actions and details that show.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Narrative writing, Story planning, Sequence and transitions, Details and description
What kids do
“Telling says how a character feels. Showing lets the reader see it. Rewrite each telling sentence so it shows.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Tell: Max was nervous.
- Show: Max’s hands shook, and he stared at his shoes.
- Tell: Lucy was happy. Show it:
- Tell: The dog was tired. Show it:
- Tell: Jake was angry. Show it:
- Tell: The room was messy. Show it:
- Start a story with one of your showing sentences.
Teacher tip
Act out a feeling without words and have kids describe what they see. That is showing.
How to use it
- Let kids plan in drawings or quick notes, not full sentences.
- Give kids time to tell their story to a partner before drafting.
- Read the directions aloud so the sheet is about writing, not decoding the directions.
Watch for
Kids who spend the whole time drawing. Set a timer for the sketch.
Talk about it
- How does your character change by the end?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
Take it further
Have kids act out their stories in small groups.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More narrative writing organizers
Grades 4–5
Write a Fable with a Lesson
Pick a lesson like “think before you act,” plan two animal characters and what happens, then write the fable.
Grades 2–3
Six-Sentence Story Planner
A whole story in six sentences: who and where, a want, a problem, a try, what works and the ending.
Grades 2–4
Story Spinner: Who, Where and Uh-Oh
Pick a character, a setting and a problem from three lists, then write the story they make.
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