1st Grade Writing Lesson 18: Beginning, Middle, and End of a Story

Objective

I can write a story with a beginning, middle, and end so my reader knows what happened first, next, and last.

Materials

Sharpened pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)

Mini-lesson — A story has three parts

Stories feel easy to read when they have a clear shape: beginning, middle, and end.

Beginning

Introduce the character and setting.
Start the story path.

Middle

Tell what happens.
Add the problem or the big moment.

End

Fix the problem or show what changed.
Finish with a sentence that feels done.

Order words help

First, then, next, finally.
These words help your reader follow along.

Ask yourself: "Can I point to my beginning, middle, and end?"

Guided Practice — Practice story order

Choose 3 sentences from the Trace menu and copy them neatly on paper. Then use the Tracing Pad to practice words, sentences, and marks.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build a story with a beginning, middle, and end

Drag the words to build each sentence. Together, the sentences make one story.

First I went to the park .

Then I saw a red ball .

Next the ball rolled away fast .

Finally I found it near a tree .

I was happy and I went home .

Quick Check — Beginning, middle, and end

Answer each question about story parts and order.

What does the beginning do?

starts the story erases the story hides the story

What does the middle do?

ends the story tells what happens writes the title

What does the end do?

starts a new story adds a new character finishes the story

Why use order words?

to show order to make letters messy to skip the middle

Which word fits the beginning?

finally first yesterday

Which word often fits the end?

next then finally

What makes a story feel done?

a clear ending sentence stopping in the middle changing the setting every line

Which is the right story structure?

end, beginning, end beginning, middle, end middle, middle, middle

The beginning should usually tell…

only the title only the ending who and where

A middle sentence should…

tell what happens next erase the beginning change to a new story

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Writes a clear beginning, middle, and end Ideas are in a clear order (no confusing jumps) Uses order words (first, then, next, finally) when helpful Writes complete sentences with capitals and end marks

Exit ticket (student)

😀 My story has a beginning, middle, and end. 🙂 I can do it, but I need to slow down and keep the order. 😅 My ending still feels tricky.

I will practice…

Beginning Middle End