2nd Grade Writing Lesson 23: Make Up a Silly or Funny Story

Objective

I can write a short silly story with a beginning, middle, and end using complete sentences.

Materials

Pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)

Mini-lesson — A funny story still needs a plan

A silly story can be wild and funny, but it still needs to be easy to follow. A simple plan helps your reader understand the joke!

Use a 3-part story plan

Beginning: Who is it about? Where are they?
Middle: Something surprising happens!
End: The problem is solved (or the surprise ends).

Easy ways to make it funny

Give an object a silly job (a hat that talks).
Make something too big or too tiny (a giant cookie).
Add a surprise mistake (a dog wears shoes!).

Quick check: "Can I tell my story in 3 sentences?"

Guided Practice — Build a 3-sentence silly story

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 silly mini-stories

Drag the sentences into the best order to build each silly story. Each story should have a beginning, middle, and end.

I walked into my room. My socks started to dance! I chased them across the floor. At the end, I fell on my bed laughing. The sun was yellow. I like apples.

I opened my lunch box at school. My sandwich began to sing a silly song! Everyone at my table stared at it. Then my teacher laughed and closed the lid. Winter is cold. Blue crayons are short.

I put on my backpack in the morning. A tiny dragon sneezed from inside! It zipped around my head and blew smoke rings. Finally, it waved goodbye and flew out the window. Rain taps on the roof. My shoe is red.

I sat down to do my homework. My pencil began to tell jokes! I laughed so hard I dropped my eraser. At the end, I wrote my story instead of my math. The grass is green. Birds fly south.

I went into the kitchen for breakfast. A pancake was wearing my dad’s hat! It slid across the table and said, "Good morning!" Soon everyone in the kitchen was laughing. Clouds can look gray. I have a blue bag.

I went outside to walk my dog. My dog put on my shoes and ran ahead! I hurried after him down the sidewalk. In the end, he sat still and smiled at me. Snow can feel cold. Leaves fall in fall.

Quick Check — Silly stories

Choose the best answer.

What does the beginning of a story do?

introduces who and where ends the story removes details

What usually happens in the middle?

the title is chosen a problem or surprise happens nothing happens

What does the end of a story do?

starts a new character changes the setting wraps it up

Which detail is silly?

A hat tells jokes. A hat is on my head. A hat is made of cloth.

What is dialogue?

the title of the story words a character says a list of facts

What makes a sentence complete?

no spaces only one word capital + ending mark

Which words help show order?

then, next purple, tiny pencil, desk

When might you use an exclamation mark?

at the end of every sentence when something exciting happens to show a pause in a list

What is important in a silly story?

using no capitals changing topics every sentence being easy to follow

Which is a good ending sentence?

At the end, I laughed and went home. Then, then, then. My story is about.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Includes a beginning, middle, and end Adds a clear silly or funny detail Uses an order word (then, next, finally) Uses capitals and punctuation correctly

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write a silly story with a beginning, middle, and end. 🙂 I can do it sometimes, but I need more practice. 😅 My stories are funny, but I need help organizing them.

I will practice…

Strong beginnings Adding a surprise Clear endings