# Lesson 11: Tell about challenges and how you solved them

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟠 B. Personal Narratives

← Back to Level 3

## Objective

I can write a short personal narrative (5–6 sentences) about a challenge I faced and how I solved it, using time-order transitions, sensory details, and a closing sentence that explains what I learned or felt.

## Materials

- Pencil ✏️ and eraser
- Planning sheet or notebook
- Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Think of a real challenge (learning a skill, fixing a mistake, solving a problem with a friend) and how you overcame it.

## Mini-lesson — Problem ➜ Attempts ➜ Solution ➜ Meaning

1. Set the scene: Who, where, and the problem you faced.
2. Show attempts: What you tried first; add sensory details and small actions.
3. Solution: What finally worked. Use time words: first, next, then, after that, finally.
4. Meaning: End with a feeling or lesson learned (I felt proud because…).
5. Stay focused: Keep all sentences on the same event.

Video won’t be included when printing.

## Guided Practice — Trace & plan

Trace key words, then plan a narrative about a challenge you solved (e.g., learning to swim, finishing a hard puzzle, fixing a friendship):

- Key words: problem, first, next, then, finally, detail, lesson
- Example outline:
  1. Topic: I struggled to tie my shoes.
  2. Attempt: First I pulled too hard and the laces slipped.
  3. Attempt: Next I watched a video and practiced slowly.
  4. Solution: Then I made two loops and crossed them.
  5. Closing: Finally I felt proud because I kept trying.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Letter
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Build Challenge & Solution Sentences

Drag chips into the slots to make strong narrative sentences about a challenge and solution.

At first the math puzzle looked impossible.
Next I tried a new strategy and checked each step.
Then the pattern clicked and I solved the problem.
Because I practiced slowly my hands remembered the steps.
First I felt nervous but I took a deep breath.
After that I asked for help and wrote notes to remember.
Soon my practice paid off and I felt confident.
The cold pool water shocked my toes but I kept going.
I reread the directions and found the missing step.
My friend and I talked and we fixed the misunderstanding.
Finally I succeeded and felt proud of my hard work.
In the end I learned that practice and patience matter.

## Quick Check (15 questions)

#### 1) Best topic sentence for a challenge narrative:

Challenges are things. I used to struggle with tying my shoes, but I kept practicing. Shoes can be different colors.

#### 2) Which is a sensory detail?

I worked hard. Effort matters. My hands trembled and the laces felt rough.

#### 3) Best transition to show a new attempt:

Next Meanwhile Also

#### 4) A personal narrative is usually written in…

second person future first person past third person present

#### 5) Strong ending for a challenge narrative:

Then it ended. It was fine. I felt proud because I didn’t give up.

#### 6) Which sentence shows, not tells?

My knees shook, but I took a deep breath and tried again. I was nervous. Nervousness happened.

#### 7) Which belongs in a challenge narrative?

Penguins live in Antarctica. I tried the steps again and timed myself. My backpack is blue.

#### 8) Best way to fix: “I messed up. I learned.”

I messed up, but I learned by practicing the right steps. I messed up and up. I learned, learned.

#### 9) Which is a time-order word?

crunchy after brightly

#### 10) Off-topic sentence in a shoe-tying narrative:

I crossed the laces to make an X. I watched my cousin tie them slowly. My favorite lunch is pizza.

#### 11) A closing should…

tell the feeling or lesson learned. start a new problem. list all attempts again.

#### 12) Which sentence uses a clear transition?

I tried again. After that, I tried again and it worked. Trying again happened.

#### 13) Best way to combine: “I asked for help. I practiced.”

I asked for help and it was help. I asked for help, I asked for help. I asked for help, and I practiced.

#### 14) Which sentence is first person?

I followed each step until it worked. The student follows each step. Steps were followed.

#### 15) Which helps readers picture the challenge?

The challenge was big. My fingers slipped, and the knot loosened again. Knots are things.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Topic sentence introduces the challenge Includes attempts and a clear solution Uses time-order transitions Adds sensory details and small actions Closing sentence shows feeling or lesson learned

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can describe a challenge and how I solved it 🙂 I need more practice using time-order words 😅 Sensory details were tricky

#### I will practice…

Using first, next, then, finally Showing attempts with small actions Ending with a feeling or lesson
Lesson 12 →