Targeted Skill: Narrative Writing

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Climate Change Connection

As our forests continue to be threatened by climate change, deforestation, and other factors, it is important to educate the next generation on Earth stewardship. Learning that trees communicate is a great way to help build empathy for organisms that do not seem to have “thoughts” or “feelings.” The video in this activity explores the interconnectedness of our forests and how trees can communicate with and protect one another through fungal networks in the soil. Students will learn about the experiments of Suzanne Simard and why her findings should change the way we view forests and trees. After watching the video, students will create a short narrative piece centered around trees talking to each other.

To continue learning about trees, take a look at the following resources:

• Urban Trees
• Climate Heroes: The Power of Trees!
• Tree Inequality in Cities: Social Studies Lesson

Teaching Tips

• View the video How Trees Talk to Each Other
• Students write a short narrative piece centered around trees talking to each other
• Potential prompts include the following:
• Two trees are talking to each other, what is their conversation about?
• A group of trees is having a discussion, what would they discuss?
• Is the conversation civil or are they disagreeing?
• There is a threat to the forest, what would that conversation sound like?
• How can the trees express their feelings to one another?
• What topics do you think are important to trees?
• Students may complete the Narrative Writing Planning Page before writing.
• Students trade their narrative with a partner and provide feedback.
• Students revise their narrative based on the feedback given.
• This activity can be used as a bellringer activity, an introductory activity to narrative writing, a short assessment of writing, or as a refresher after a narrative unit ends.
• Upon the completion of the activity, invite students to share what they know or have learned about the importance of trees to the ecosystem, and the types of threats that trees face. Ask students to brainstorm solutions.

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Authors

Mallory Swafford

Scientist Reviewer

Archibong Akpan, PhD

Image Resources

Freepik, Flaticon