Lesson on Small Moments

I enjoy teaching students how to write. When it comes to teaching how to write narrative, students need to grasp the difference between a big topic and a small one. One of the ways I do this is through a Watermelon vs Seed lesson in class.

Materials
Watermelon/Seed Chart
Watermelon Vs Seed Sort
Sticky Notes
Pencil

Lesson:

• Do you know that small moment stories come from big moments? 
• Tell students that you call a small moment story a seed moment and a Big moment story a Watermelon story. 
• Show some examples of a seed and watermelon moments. (Going to the cottage vs watching my son catch his first fish)
• Show students the hand signals you use for this.

Seed hand signal

Watermelon hand signal

• Name a topic and have students show you the signal to identify which kind of moment the topic is. Examples include: Going to the beach(W), jumping off the pier for the first time(S), climbing a mountain(W), slipping on a rock and falling down a hill (S), Taking a bike ride (W), seeing and eagle grab a fish from the river (S). 
• Place students in groups of 3-4. Have them sort watermelon and seed topics together on their own. Have them check out with you. 

Sorts can be found HERE

• When they are finished, have them go back to their tables and desks to write down a small moment on a sticky note. Stick these to your classroom chart for later use when they get stuck. 

• Go over them if you have time.