Level 1 • Lesson 36 — Working together on a story

Objective

I can work with a partner to plan and write a short story. We can take turns, listen to each other's ideas, and read our story aloud together.

Materials

Pencil and eraser
Ruled paper or a story notebook
Colored pencils or crayons for a small picture
A partner (friend, sibling, or trusted adult)
Tracing Pad (below)

If a child does not have another student partner, an adult can be the partner and take turns with ideas and sentences.

Mini-lesson — What does it mean to work together on a story?

A partner story is a story two people make together. You share ideas and take turns writing.

Good partners:

listen to each other's ideas,
take turns speaking and writing,
use kind words about each other's work,
read the story aloud together at the end.

A simple partner-writing routine:

Plan together: Talk about who, where, and what happens.
Decide turns: Choose who writes the first sentence.
Take turns: Each partner writes one sentence.
Check and read: Fix small mistakes and read the story aloud together.

Example:

Partners plan: "A lost puppy at the park."
Partner A writes: "We find a small puppy by the bench."
Partner B writes: "We look at the tag and call the owner."
Together they read their story and add one more ending sentence.

The story does not need to be long. A strong partner story can be just three clear sentences with a beginning, middle, and ending.

Picture strip: "Two partners writing a story"

Guided Practice — Follow a partner-writing routine

Use the Tracing Pad to warm up with partner words. Then follow this simple routine with a partner and a short story idea.

Choose a partner:
Sit next to a friend, sibling, or trusted adult. Share one pencil and some paper.
Plan your story together:
Say out loud:
- Who is in the story?
- Where does it happen?
- What happens first, next, and last?
Keep the plan short and simple.
Warm up on the Tracing Pad:
Take turns tracing words like team, help, write, and share.
Decide who writes first:
One partner writes the first sentence neatly on the paper. The other partner helps listen for missing words.
Take turns writing:
The other partner writes the second sentence. Keep taking turns until you have three sentences: beginning, middle, and ending.
Check and read aloud:
Together, point to each word and read your story aloud. Fix one small mistake if you see one (a missing word or ending mark).
Add a small picture:
Draw a shared picture under the sentences that matches your story.

Partners are a team. It is okay if your ideas are a little different. Take turns, listen, and make one simple story together.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build a partner story plan

Each box shows a short story that two partners could write together. Use the chips to build a clear story plan with Who, Where, and What happens.

On the device:
Read the story idea. Then drag the story plan chips into the empty slots in a good order: first Who, then Where, then What happens. Chips stay in their own question.

On paper:
Choose one story plan. With a real partner, use your plan to write three sentences on your ruled paper: beginning, middle, and ending. Add a small picture that matches your story.

Slot order: Who → Where → What happens

Story A — Lost puppy:
You and your partner want to write about finding a lost puppy and helping it get home.

Two kids In the park Find a lost puppy On the moon Make a giant robot

Story B — Rainy day fort:
You and your partner want to write about a rainy day when you build a blanket fort and read books inside.

Two friends At home Build a blanket fort At the zoo Fly to space

Story C — Class garden:
You and your partner want to write about planting seeds in a class garden and watching them grow.

Classmates At school Plant seeds in soil In a rocket Chase a dragon

Story D — Space adventure:
You and your partner want to write about flying in a rocket and landing on the moon.

Two partners In a rocket ship Fly to the moon In the kitchen Wash the dishes

Story E — School fair:
You and your partner want to write about getting a booth ready for a school fair and inviting families to see it.

Two helpers At the school fair Get the booth ready Under the ocean Chase a puppy

Quick Check — Working together on a story

Answer each question about partner writing. This is a gentle 10-question check.

Why can it be helpful to write a story with a partner?

So only one person has to think So you can share ideas and make a strong story So you never have to write again

What is a good first step when you start a partner story?

Hide your ideas from your partner Start writing without talking Talk together about who, where, and what happens

Why should partners decide who writes the first sentence?

So everyone knows whose turn it is So one person can write the whole story So the story has no beginning

What does it mean to "take turns" when you write?

One person takes the pencil and keeps it Each partner writes a sentence and then lets the other try Everyone writes on top of the same words

Which is a kind way to talk to a writing partner?

"Your idea is silly, I will do it." "Do not talk, I will write everything." "I like your idea. Let's try it in our story."

What should you do when your partner is sharing a story idea?

Listen carefully and look at them Talk over them and change the subject Walk away and play with toys

If your partner's sentence is missing a word, what can you do?

Laugh and leave it wrong Kindly say, "I think we need one more word here." Cross out the whole sentence without asking

What is a good way to finish a partner-writing time?

Tear up the paper so no one can see it Let only one person read quietly Read the whole story aloud together as a team

How can you share the writing space with your partner?

Sit close, point to the words, and pass the pencil on each turn Push your partner's paper away Cover the paper so they cannot see it

Who does the partner story belong to at the end?

Only the person who wrote the first sentence Both partners, because they worked on it together Nobody, because it was just practice

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Works with a partner or adult to plan a short story Can name who the story is about and where it happens Takes turns writing sentences instead of writing everything alone Listens to the partner's ideas and responds with kind words Helps fix at least one small mistake in the shared story Reads the partner story aloud together, pointing to the words Adds a simple picture that matches the partner story

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I like working with a partner to write a story. 🙂 I can write with a partner, but I want more practice. 😅 Partner writing still feels a bit tricky for me.

Next time I will…

Listen carefully to my partner's ideas Take turns writing sentences Help fix one small mistake in our story Read our partner story aloud at the end

Lesson 36: Working together on a story