Grades 4–5
Write a Mystery: Clues and Suspects
A mystery planner: the case, the detective, three suspects, real clues, a false clue and the solution.
Writing worksheet · Narrative writing organizers
Two Points of View
One event told by two characters: what each one saw, thought and felt, then a first-person retelling.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 35 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Narrative writing, Story planning, Sequence and transitions, Details and description
What kids do
“The same event can feel very different to two characters. Check an event, plan both sides, then tell it as one of them.”
Printed on the sheet:
- A dog chases a cat up a tree.
- A kid finds a frog in the lunchbox.
- A ball breaks a window.
- A baby bird falls out of its nest.
- Tell it as one of them. Use I.
Teacher tip
Retell The Three Little Pigs from the wolf’s side to show how the same event can feel different.
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.
- Model the first answer on the board, thinking out loud as you write.
Watch for
Kids who spend the whole time drawing. Set a timer for the sketch.
Talk about it
- Where does your story get exciting?
- Where else do writers use this skill?
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 2–4
Sound Words: Boom, Splash, Creak
A word bank of sound words and four scenes to write with them, then a short noisy scene.
Grades 3–5
Action Scene: Use Strong Verbs
Four plain sentences to power up with strong verbs like dashed and snatched, then a short action scene.
Grades 2–4
A Time I Was Brave
A personal narrative planner: before, during and after a brave moment, with feeling words, then the story.
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