1. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 1 Prompt: Tell about a trip you went on with your class. Trip to the zoo African Area Bird aviary Reptiles Teacher models focusing on prompt. Teacher brainstorms events and concrete things. Students complete their own Circle Maps.

2. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 1 Last year my third grade class went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had been studying animals and we were going to see them first hand. African area Bird aviary Reptiles Teacher models selecting three events from the Circle Map and placing on the Flow Map. Students select three events from their Circle Maps and place on their Flow Maps. Teacher models opening paragraph. Students write their opening paragraphs.

3. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 1 Last year my third grade class went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had been studying animals and we were going to see them first hand. African area Bird aviary Reptiles Elephants Giraffes Zebras Peacocks Parrots Squawking Different sizes Python 3 Cars long Slithered up tree Teacher models adding 3 details for each event (tell me more). Students add 3 details to their Flow Maps.

4. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 2 Last year my third grade class went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had been studying animals and we were going to see them first hand. African area Bird aviary Reptiles Elephants Giraffes Zebras Peacocks Parrots Squawking Different sizes Python 3 Cars long Slithered up tree We beganAfter a whileLater on When the teacher said it was time to go I could hardly believe we had been there five hours. Our class trip was a great way to learn more about some interesting animals. Teacher models “think aloud”. Students do independent “think alouds”. Teacher adds transition words/ phrases. Students add transition words/ phrases. Teacher models closing paragraph. Students add closing paragraphs. Students work in pairs to orally rehearse their stories using their Flow Maps.

5. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 3- Taking it off the Map Last year my third grade class went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had been studying animals and we were going to see them first hand. African area Bird aviary Reptiles Elephants Giraffes Zebras Peacocks Parrots Squawking Different sizes Python 3 Cars long Slithered up tree We beganAfter a whileLater on When the teacher said it was time to go I could hardly believe we had been there five hours. Our class trip was a great way to learn more about some interesting animals.

6. Composing in Grades 4 - 8 Personal Narrative Writing Day 3- Taking it off the Map Last year my third grade class went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had been studying animals and we were going to see them first hand. We began by visiting the African Area. We saw groups of elephants with large flapping ears.There were giraffes with long slender necks eating from the tree tops. When we saw the zebras I was amazed at how their stripped fur made them look like inmates. After a while we moved on to the bird aviary. The most impressive bird that I saw was a peacock that spread his colorful tail into a giant fan. Parrots perched on trees squawked at us as we passed their cages. There were tiny birds there like the humming birds and giant emus that were taller than our teacher. Later on we got to see the reptiles. My favorite was the giant python. He was as long as three cars and as big around as a fire hydrant. We watched as he slowly slithered up a tree. When the teacher said it was time to go I could hardly believe that we had been there five hours. Our class trip was a great way for us to learn more about some interesting animals.