Lesson 24: Write a story with a surprise ending

Objective

I can write a short story that has a clear beginning, middle, and end and finishes with a fun surprise that still makes sense.

Materials

• Pencil ✏️ and eraser
• Ruled paper or tablet
• Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Leave clues so the surprise feels fair. Don’t tell the secret too early!

Mini-lesson — How to build a surprise ending

Guided Practice — Trace on the Pad

Trace key words, then draft a tiny story (4–5 sentences) with a surprise ending about a lost puppy that isn’t lost:

• Key words: clue, secret, twist, ending
• Example outline:
  1. Beginning: I find a puppy at the park.
  2. Middle: It wears a shiny tag with a crown.
  3. Middle: A fancy car stops—guards jump out!
  4. Surprise Ending: The “lost” puppy is the mayor’s dog on a parade practice! 🎉

Tracing Pad

Lines Primary lines Baseline only Grid Blank Letter (none) ABCDEF GHIJKL MNOPQR STUVWX YZ abcdef ghijkl mnopqr stuvwx yz 01234 56789 .,?! '":; -–— ()[]{} …“”‘’ /\&@% +=*#$

Pen Clear

Tip: Read your draft aloud—did you hide clues and keep the secret until the end?

Drag & Drop — Build Clue-Filled Sentences

Drag the chips into the slots to make sentences that could lead to a surprise ending. Keep punctuation at the end.

Quick Check (15 questions)

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)