My Pet Rock: Rock Solid Writing! (K-2)
Students will transform a simple stone into a "Pet Rock" character by adding physical features and a name. They will then use a narrative prompt to write a short story about their rock’s first adventure.
Essential Question
How can I use my imagination to tell a story about a character that doesn’t move or talk?
Grade(s):
- Kindergarten
- 1
- 2
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Small smooth stones, googly eyes, markers, glue, and anything else you wish to provide for your students to decorate their pet rocks.
Lesson Progression
- Hook: Show a "pet rock" in a decorated box. Ask students: "If this rock could wake up for just 60 minutes, what would it want to do?"
- Creation: Give each student a rock. Have them name the rock and glue on eyes or draw a face.
- Prompt Selection: Display the Narrative Writing Prompts. Allow students to choose one (e.g., "Your pet rock enters a race against a turtle" or "Your pet rock gets lost in the backyard").
- Drafting: Using the chosen prompt, students draw a three panel storyboard (First, Next, Last) before writing their sentences.
- Writing: Students write 2–4 sentences describing the events of their chosen prompt, ensuring a clear sequence.
Teacher Notes
Differentiation: Provide sentence starters (e.g., "First, my rock named __ woke up. We went to the __.") and a word bank of action verbs.
Extension: Ask advanced writers to include sensory details (how the rock felt or what it heard) to meet the "sensory details" portion of the standard.
Writing Prompts K2
View ResourceLower Elementary Writing Rubric
Use this rubric to provide student feedback and assess writing.
View ResourceHow-To Video
An optional video to show your students on how to decorate their rocks and create homes for them.
View ResourceStandards
- ELA.C.4 Demonstrate command of standard English grammar and conventions when writing.
- ELA.C.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective techniques.
- ELA.C.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective techniques.
- ELA.C.4 Demonstrate command of standard English grammar and conventions when writing.
- ELA.C.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective techniques.
- ELA.C.4 Demonstrate command of standard English grammar and conventions when writing.
Assessments
Use the rubric provided to grade writing samples from students to assess learning outcomes.