Picture Story Writing: First, Next, Last

A grown-up reads the title and talks through the pictures with younger children. Students draw and write what happens first, next and last. Use one story a day in a writing center.

Five pages after the cover, one story each: Planting a Seed, Making a Sandwich, Building a Snowman, Giving a Dog a Bath and My Own Story. Pages 1 to 4 have small pictures to look at, and every page has First, Next and Last boxes with lines to draw and write.

Yes. We made it for Kindergarten to 2nd Grade writing frames, and it works the same at home or at school. Families print it for one child and keep it where they will use it every day. Teachers print a copy per student or one for the whole room, whichever the day needs.

A writing frame breaks a writing task into clear sections with prompts and boxes, so students always know what to write next. It takes the fear out of the blank page and helps developing writers organize their ideas. Frames are especially helpful for reluctant writers who freeze when asked to just start writing.

The set covers story and narrative frames, non-fiction and report frames, review frames, and character or role-play frames. That range lets you scaffold nearly any writing task second graders take on, from a book review to a personal recount.

Model the frame first with a shared class example, filling one section at a time so students see how each box builds the piece. Then let them complete their own frame independently or with a partner. Frames also work as a planning step before students write a final draft on lined paper.

Yes. Frames are a great homeschool tool because they give a child structure without a parent needing to plan a whole lesson. Use one to help your child write a book review, a recount of their day, or a short story without getting stuck.