Literacy: What is a small moment story?

Mini-Lesson:
Introduce small-moment writing using the anchor chart (see sample on page
3). Read mentor text Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall to give students a
sample of this type of writing. While reading, model how to check off the
different attributes of a small-moment story on the anchor chart. Students will
practice this skill with a partner.

Partner work:
With a partner, students will read a story and determine if it is a small-moment
story. On a half-sheet of paper, students will complete a checklist which mirrors
the anchor chart from the whole-group lesson (see sample on page 3) to
decide if it is a small-moment story.
Several suggested small-moment stories are:
• Rollercoaster by Marla Frazee
• The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
• A Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
• Blackout by John Rocco

Closing:
The whole group will gather again to discuss their findings. Several groups (3-5)
will share whether their story was a small-moment story or not and provide one
reason for their decision.

Give students a minute or two to stretch with a Go Noodle break or with a

quick round of Miss Mo Says (Simon says) as we transition into writing.

Writing Connection: Planning Small Moment Stories

Whole-Class
Using my watermelon chart (see page 5), model how to brainstorm
small moments (“seeds”).
Explain how good writers use transition words* to help the reader
understand the order of events in the story. Some sample transition
words are also listed on page 5.
Individually
Students will use the watermelon organizer (see page 6) to brainstorm
different “seeds” they can write about during the unit. Students will
select one of these topics to begin writing about. Students should
include transition words in their stories to create a sequence of events
 for the reader. As students are working, I will float around the room to
check that each student chose a small-moment to write about.
* This is written with the assumption that all students are familiar with transition
words and have used them in previous units (e.g. “How-to” stories). If this has
not been touched upon, I would introduce these words more in depth.
Small Moment Stories . . .
□ Tell a true story of something
that really happened
□ Include a beginning, a middle, and
an end
□ Use description
□ Include transition words
□ Entertain the audience
□ Tell about a tiny moment
Name: ___________________________________

The small-moment story I read . . .

Does Does Not
Tell a true story of something
that really happened
Include a beginning, a
middle, and an end
Use description
Include transition words
Entertain the audience
Tell about a tiny moment

Name: ___________________________________

The small-moment story I read . . .

Does Does Not
Tell a true story of something
that really happened
Include a beginning, a
middle, and an end
Use description
Include transition words
Entertain the audience
Tell about a tiny moment
Key Transition Words:
• One day…
• First…
• Next…
• Then…
• After that…
• Finally…