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Instructional Materials & How-Tos

*Click the underlined links below to access resources and examples:

Artful Learning 8th Grade Language Arts Narrative Unit Plan

Narrative Planning Packet for Students

​Sample Introduction Lesson Plan & Rubric


🎯 LESSON PLAN:
Introduction to Rubrics, Exemplars & Narrative Writing

Grade Level: 8th Grade
Subject: Language Arts
Duration: 50 minutes
Lesson Focus: Understanding the value of rubrics and exemplars + self-assessing narrative writing

🧠 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Reflect on their prior knowledge and opinions about rubrics and exemplars.
• ​Understand how rubrics and exemplars support narrative writing.
• Apply a simplified rubric to self-assess their own narrative writing sample.

📘 Standards Addressed
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3:
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5:
With some guidance and support, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1:
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners.

📋 Materials Needed
Chromebooks or devices for Google Form
​Google Form pre-survey (5–6 questions)
Printed or digital simplified narrative rubric (1-page)
Short low-stakes narrative prompt
Whiteboard or projector

 ⏱️ Time Breakdown & Activities
 0:00–5:00 | Do Now & Overview

• On the board: "What helps you understand how to do well on a project or essay?"
• Students write silent responses in notebooks or on a Jamboard Padlet.Teacher provides brief overview: "Today we’ll reflect on how rubrics and examples (exemplars) can support us, and you’ll begin thinking like a writer."

5:00–15:00 | Google Form Pre-SurveyStudents complete a short anonymous pre-survey.

15:00–20:00 | Mini-Lesson: Rubrics + Exemplars 101

• Define both terms on the board.
• Show a visual of a sample rubric and explain its parts (criteria, levels, descriptors).
• Briefly show an exemplar narrative paragraph if time allows.
• Explain: "Writers use rubrics to guide and assess their progress just like athletes watch game footage or use playbooks."

20:00–35:00 | Narrative Quick Write + Self-Scoring

• Prompt: "Write about a story about time you felt proud or accomplished something difficult. Include enough detail to help your reader understand what happened and why it mattered to you."
• Students write for 10 minutes.
• Then, hand out the simple rubric 
• Students self-score their writing using the rubric. Later you will compare their self-scores to your teacher judgement.

35:00–45:00 | Peer Share & Reflection

• In pairs, students share a portion of their writing and 1 thing they noticed using the rubric.
• Discuss: "What did the rubric help you notice?"
• Volunteers share takeaways with class.

45:00–50:00 | Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

• On paper or digital tool (like Google Form or Padlet), students respond:
  • One thing the rubric helped me see was...
  • One question I still have is...
    
    

📊 Assessment

• Google Form pre-survey results (diagnostic)
• Self-scored rubric reflections
• Exit ticket responses

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📎 Notes for Next Steps

• Analyze pre-survey data to inform next lessons (e.g., how to model rubric use, where students need clarity).
• Introduce full narrative unit rubric next class along with deeper exemplar analysis.
• Use student writing samples from today to conference or guide mini-lessons.
• Mid-Unit Survey
• Post-Unit Survey
• Sample Personal Narratives

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LESSONS

REFERENCES

ASSESSMENT