Writing Two Events in Order
A 40-minute Grade 1 lesson on writing a narrative with two events in order, some detail and a sense of ending.
Writing Two Events in Order is a free 40-minute Grade 1 English lesson plan for Common Core standard W.1.3 — write a story of two or more events in order, using words like first and then. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 1
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- W.1.3
Grade 1 · Writing
W.1.3
Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.
Objective
Students will be able to write about two events in the order they happened, with a detail and an ending.
Students are successful when they can
- Writes two events.
- Puts them in the right order and signals it.
- Adds one detail and an ending.
What you need
- Two-box strips for planning
- Order words on the wall: first, then, next, after that, finally
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — put it back in order
5 min- Give three events from this morning in the wrong order.
- The class reorders them and says the order words.
Teach — two events, then the detail
13 min- Tell a two-event story aloud from your own life. Then write it.
- Write event one with an order word. Write event two with another.
- Reread it. It is flat. Add one detail to event one — what it looked like, sounded like, felt like.
- Reread. Say what changed.
- Add the ending: how it turned out or how you felt.
“Two things happened, in order. Then one detail so I can see it.”
Guided practice — plan on the strip
12 min- Students plan two events on a strip, one word or picture each.
- They tell it to a partner before writing anything.
- Then they write it with order words and one detail.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the narrative writing page.
- The prompt and the checklist are on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Read one narrative. The class names the two events and the detail.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
One event stretched across the whole piece.
Why: The single event is what they remember, and the requirement is a count they have not internalised.
Fix: The two-box strip, filled before writing. Two boxes make the second event a planning problem, not a writing one.
Order words in front of every sentence.
Why: The words were praised, so more feels better.
Fix: Read it aloud. 'Then... then... then...' is audibly wrong. Two or three is plenty.
Ends by stopping.
Why: The events are finished, so the writing is finished.
Fix: Give two ending moves: say how it turned out, or say how you felt. Both are one sentence.
If they are not there yet
- Draw the two boxes before writing anything.
- Give the order words as a printed strip to stick down.
If they finish early
- Write three events.
- Add a detail to each event, one for a different sense.
- Write an ending that surprises the reader.
Exit ticket
Write two things that happened, in order, and one detail.
What to look for: Two distinct events. One event with lots of detail means the planning strip, not the writing, is where to intervene.
Printable practice for W.1.3
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Two Events in OrderWrite on the lines. Use the checklist.
Questions about Writing Two Events in Order
How long does the Writing Two Events in Order lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Writing Two Events in Order teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3 — W.1.3, Writing for Grade 1: “Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.” In plain terms, write a story of two or more events in order, using words like first and then.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
Two-box strips for planning, order words on the wall: first, then, next, after that, finally and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: one event stretched across the whole piece; order words in front of every sentence and ends by stopping. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Write two things that happened, in order, and one detail.” Two distinct events. One event with lots of detail means the planning strip, not the writing, is where to intervene. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Writing Two Events in Order?
Yes — 1 printable W.1.3 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Writing Two Events in Order free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to W.1.3 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.