Realistic Fiction Writing Unit

Here is the third writing unit I do after my Authors and Mentors Unit.  It's all about expanding fiction stories with all the elements (beginning, middle, end, elaboration etc.).  In the beginning of the unit we spend a lot of time developing and getting to know our realistic character, and then we start to write several stories about that character.  So, in this unit we worked on making detailed short stories about realistic problems and solutions for a 7 year old made up character.

Here are the anchor charts I created to go along with the unit:

Big Ideas:

• How to write realistic fiction, focusing on problem and solution
• How to develop a character
• How to build tension and elaborate ideas
• How to create entertaining beginnings, middles, and endings

Paper Choice:

• 3 page stapled packets (or booklets as I like to call them) with many lines per page and a small space for drawing for most children.  Click here to download the paper choice!
• Be flexible!  If kids need more or less line or pages, give it to them!



This is the paper choice I give most 2nd graders during this unit.

Mentor Texts

• A Chair for Mother by Vera Williams
• Knufflebunny by Mo Willems

Teaching Points:

Day 1: What is realistic fiction? Brainstorms ideas for a realistic story about a 7 year old.

Day 2: Create a realistic character.  Click here to download the sheet I used for the students to create their character with many details.

Day 3: Create likes, dislikes, friends, and family for your realistic character.  Click here to download the sheet I used for the students to create their character's likes, dislikes, family, and friends.

Day 4: Create a list of problem and solution story ideas.  Click here to download the sheet I used for character trouble ideas.

Day 5: Writers plan before they write; how to use a graphic organizer.  Click here to download my graphic organizer I use for fiction stories.

Day 6: Writers make the problem get worse and worse before it gets better.

Day 7:  Writers try acting the problem and solution out before writing.

Day 8:  Writers make their beginnings bold by starting with action.

Day 9: Writers make their beginnings bold by starting with sound words.

Day 10: Writers make their beginnings bold by starting with a detailed setting description

Day 11: Writers make mighty middles by adding tension to their stories with ellipses...

Day 12: Writers make mighty middles by adding tension to their stories with the word "suddenly"

Day 13: Writers make mighty middles by showing and not telling

Day 14: Writers make exciting endings by ending with a lesson learned

Day 15: Writers make exciting endings by ending with a detailed feeling

Day 16: Editing: Writers check that they have periods and capitals in the right place

Day 17: Editing: Give your partner your story, have them read it to you.  Can they read it easily?  If not, fix hard to read parts. 

Day 18: Choose a publishing piece.  Make sure it is easy to read.  Write an "Book Blurb" page, and a title page.  Click here for the title page, and here for the book blurb page.

Day 19: Celebrate! (see below for more details)

End of Unit Celebration:

• Invite parents
• Have students read their favorite detailed sentence aloud
• Have parents rotate around the room reading each student's writing and writing them a positive note about what they liked best.