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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Writing Assignment
The Snow Day
Standard: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences, including orienting the reader, using dialogue and description, using transitional words and phrases, using concrete words and sensory details, and providing a conclusion.
What to Do
Assignment OverviewWrite a 3-paragraph story about a snow day. Use sensory details — what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste — to help the reader experience the day with you. Vocabulary Bank
Writing Steps
1
Plan Your Story (Pre-Writing)
Plan your story:
- What happens? (the main event) - Who is in the story? (characters) - Where does it take place? (setting) You can use bullet points, words, or short sentences. Imagine waking up and looking outside to see everything covered in snow. You check the news — school is canceled! You have the whole day ahead of you. What do you do? Who do you spend the day with? Does something surprising happen?
Write a story about your snow day. It can be based on a real experience or completely made up. Fill your story with details — what does the snow look like? How does the cold feel? What sounds do you hear? Before you write, plan the story you want to tell! Think about: - What happens in your story? - Who is in it? - Where does it take place? Note: This step helps you plan. It won't be in your final story.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Main Idea Detail / Evidence 1 Detail / Evidence 2 Detail / Evidence 3
2
Paragraph 1: Opening
Write your opening paragraph (2-4 sentences):
- Who is in your story? - Where does the story take place? - Help the reader picture the scene Now write your opening paragraph to begin your story!
A good opening: - Tells the reader who is in the story - Tells the reader where it happens - Makes the reader want to keep reading
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Role: introduction
Target: ~35 words
Look for:
Who is your main character?
Where does this happen?
What details help the reader see the scene?
Sentence Starters
One day, ___.
It all started when ___.
The story begins with ___.
Target: about 35 words
3
Paragraph 2: What Happens
Write your body paragraph (3-6 sentences) that includes:
- The main thing that happens in your story - Details about what you saw, heard, or felt - Dialogue (what someone said) OR a description of an important moment Use words like: then, suddenly, after that, next, meanwhile. Now write your body paragraph — where the action happens!
A good body paragraph includes: 1. What happens — Tell the reader the main event or action 2. Details — What did you see, hear, or feel? 3. Dialogue OR description — Show what characters say or describe an important moment
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Role: body paragraph
Target: ~55 words
Look for:
What is the main thing that happens?
What did you see, hear, or feel?
What did someone say? Try adding dialogue!
Use 'then' or 'suddenly' to connect events.
Sentence Starters
Suddenly, ___.
Next, ___ happened because ___.
Without warning, ___.
Target: about 55 words
4
Paragraph 3: Ending
Write your ending paragraph (2-3 sentences):
- How does your story end? - How does the character feel at the end? - Make the reader feel like the story is complete. Now write your ending paragraph to finish your story.
A good ending: - Tells how the story ends - Shows how the character feels - Makes the reader feel like the story is done
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Role: conclusion
Target: ~30 words
Look for:
How does your story end?
How does the character feel?
Try: 'In the end,...' or 'After that day,...
Sentence Starters
In the end, ___.
Finally, ___.
Looking back, I ___.
Target: about 30 words
5
Make It Even Better
Review your story and make it better:
- Order: Do events make sense? - Details: Can you add a detail that helps the reader picture the scene? - Words: Use transition words (then, suddenly, after that) - Mistakes: Fix any spelling or grammar errors Edit and turn in your final version. Great job! You wrote your whole story! Now revise and refine it to make it even better.
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Target: ~120 words
Look for:
Do your events make sense in order?
Can you add a detail about what you saw or heard?
Try adding 'suddenly' or 'then' to connect events.
Sentence Starters
One day, ___.
Suddenly, ___.
In the end, ___.
Target: about 120 words
Check Your Work
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I wrote my introduction
My introduction is about 35 words
I wrote my body paragraph
My body paragraph is about 55 words
I wrote my conclusion
My conclusion is about 30 words
I completed Step 5: Make It Even Better
My make it even better is about 120 words
I re-read my writing and fixed any spelling or grammar mistakes
I am proud of this work
ReflectionWhat was the hardest part of this assignment? What would you do differently next time?
For the Teacher
Teacher Guide — The Snow DayW.4.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences, including orienting the reader, using dialogue and description, using transitional words and phrases, using concrete words and sensory details, and providing a conclusion. · Grade 4 · ~30 min
The student pages show a simplified 3-level Check Your Work chart. Score finished work against the full rubric below. Scoring Rubric
Step-by-Step Coaching Notes
Step 1 — Plan Your Story (Pre-Writing)
Step 2 — Paragraph 1: Opening
Step 3 — Paragraph 2: What Happens
Step 4 — Paragraph 3: Ending
Step 5 — Make It Even Better
Students on devices? Coach this assignment live.
Scan the code — or visit the link — for the AI-coached version: step-by-step feedback on every draft, auto-scored on the rubric, no answer key to grade. Free for teachers.
writingtools.org/free/narrative4_snow_day_v1
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