Narrative Paragraph: Lesson Plan + Worksheets

Remarks:

To prepare students for different stages of the lesson, they review the Simple Past through a chain game called “Let’s tell a story”. I opt for this game simply because it goes hand in hand with the lesson's ultimate objective: Telling anecdotes. I kick off an outlandish story, then by throwing a ball to each other, students randomly take turns to weave a plot for it. This game serves also as a good energizer, especially with active classes.

I set out the lesson by having students listen first and then read. This is done for authenticity reasons as anecdotes are supposed to be shared orally more than in a written form. That is why I include a public speaking activity in the post-writing phase. That is, students experience that feeling of being surrounded by people while telling anecdotes. What is more, opting for the golden lines is more relevant in this lesson since students are encouraged to include moral lessons in their anecdotes. Moral lessons usually come in a form of quotes or sayings, which makes them fit the bill here. Students’ golden lines are edited and posted later for everyone as uplifting and inspirational content.

To avoid the genre trap, which is likely to lead to the reproduction or imitation of the modelling text, exercise 2 on page 107 comes into play to provide two benefits at a time: (1) it presents different content and (2) helps students consolidate some linking words for sequence.

If this lesson plan is followed appropriately, the learning objectives it sets forward will be met, I presume. The content is selected and graded in a way that does not impede the students’ understanding at any stage. Furthermore, the patterns of interaction are varied, and all the activities are assigned within a reasonable time limit that caters for all the students.

However, if you see that the model anecdote is irrelevant to your students’ culture, you can use the story on page 106, New Headway Intermediate Students’ Book (see the picture below). It can help.

Here is an example of an anecdote one of my students wrote:

"One day, I was hurt so hard. It was a scorching summer day when I begged my dad for money to treat myself to some ice cream, and he gently accepted. I was so excited. As soon as I finished morning classes, I dashed out of school and headed straight for the nearest ice cream shop. When I got there, I only longed to see ice cream, not paying the slightest attention to what was going on around me. There was a long wooden bar placed in front of the shop. It was the jinxed thing that ruined my day. As soon as I arrived at the mini-shop, I, out of the blue, fell down. I had no idea how it happened, but one of my feet was stuck in the bar. Some of the clients there could not stifle their giggles at the funny scene. Worse still, I noticed that my clothes were smeared with blood. I even broke two of my teeth when I hit the ground. Though this was a mishap, I learned a lesson: No matter how tempting and bigger your dream is, be careful on your way to get it.

Good luck! Your feedback in the comment section below is highly appreciated 😊