First Then Finally Writing Template + Writing Prompts

The First Then Finally Writing Template and writing prompt cards helps students organize their ideas into a clear sequence so they can understand what happens first, what happens then, and what happens finally in their stories.

Students follow these steps:

1. Choose three prompt cards and place them on the mat in order.
2. Use the planning sheet to think about the characters, setting, and events.
3. Transfer their ideas onto the First Then Finally Writing Template to create a short narrative.
4. Re‑read their writing to check that the sequence makes sense.

Sequencing Events in Stories

Sequencing events in stories allows students to understand how narratives are organized and helps them clearly show what happens at the beginning, middle, and end.

In this activity, students:

• Use visual prompts to create a simple event order
• Practice telling what happens first, then, and finally
• Learn why the order of events helps a reader follow a story
• Connect planning directly to writing

Add this Narrative Writing Resource to Your Grade 1 Lessons

Narrative writing for Grade 1 focuses on helping students create and re‑read short written texts while understanding that stories are structured for a purpose, to narrate.

This resource supports Year 1 learners as they:

• Develop simple characters, settings, and events
• Use sequencing to organize their story ideas
• Write with a clear beginning, middle, and end
• Re‑read their work to check meaning and order

Use the dropdown menu to choose between the easy to print PDF version or the editable Google Slide version of this resource.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

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