Creature in the Classroom - Sequence Writing Activity (Text Structure)

This is a creative way for students to practice organizing the details of their writing in sequential order. I use this activity when I teach students about text structure. After they've explored different texts that are organized sequentially, I set up this activity so they can practice organizing their own writing in sequence. Students will be writing about an event that happens in their classroom - a visit from a creature - which you will create.

When the students are out of the room, I set up creature footprints throughout. I create an entry point and an exit point (door, window, ceiling tile), and I trash the room on either side and in the line of the footprints. The students are excited when they return to the room to see what has happened. I let them observe the scene, and I give them the attached organizer to take down sequential notes. After they have their ideas down, then it's time to create their account of what happened. I encourage students to use sequential transition words as they tell the story of the creature that visited the classroom.

Creature footprint template included.