Grade 3 · Writing · Narrative

3rd Grade Narrative Beginnings worksheets

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Narrative Beginnings

Grade 3 Writing Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the answer, or write your answer on the lines.

1.
Story plan: Priya hears a kitten behind the school library. Which opening introduces the character and the setting?
- The library was quiet except for the clock.
- Priya has always wanted a pet of her own.
- In the end, the kitten had a new home.
- Priya was stacking books in the school library when she heard a tiny meow.
2.
Ellie's class is putting on a puppet show. Which opening makes the problem clear right away?
- Everyone clapped when the curtain closed.
- The class practiced their puppet show every Friday.
- Ellie reached into the box, but the dragon puppet was missing.
- Ellie had made her dragon puppet out of green socks.
3.
Which first sentence is the best hook for Grace's science fair story?
- Grace made a volcano for the science fair.
- Grace woke up early on the day of the science fair.
- The science fair was held in the gym on Friday.
- Three minutes before the judges arrived, Grace's volcano began to leak.
4.
This story starts too late: "Then Rosa carried the fixed bird feeder back outside." Which sentence should come before it?
- A storm knocked Rosa's bird feeder off its hook.
- The birds came back to the feeder the next day.
- Rosa watched a blue jay land on the fixed feeder.
- Grandma took a photo of the busy feeder.
Write the beginning of a story about a class pet that gets out of its cage. Start with a hook, then tell who and where, then show the problem.
Hook
Who and where
The problem

3rd Grade Narrative Beginnings worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

A strong narrative beginning gives a young writer a place to start instead of asking them to invent an entire story at once. Third graders often begin with a flat sentence such as I had fun, or they start in the middle after the important setup has already happened. This worksheet narrows the skill to the first few lines of a story. Children compare openings that name a character, show where the story starts, hint at a problem, or create a small question for the reader.

The choices are short enough to read independently, but they still ask students to notice why one beginning works better than another. Watch for answers that sound exciting but do not introduce the story clearly.

What your child will learn

Choose an opening that introduces the character
Notice when a beginning shows the setting
Find the sentence that starts the story problem
Avoid openings that begin too late

Common Core standard: W.3.3

Worked example

If the story is about Sam losing a library card, 'Sam opened his empty backpack beside the library desk' is stronger than 'Sam fixed it later.'

Common mistake

Choosing a sentence that sounds dramatic but belongs in the middle or end of the story.

Helpful hint

A beginning should tell who is there, where they are, or what problem is starting.

Next skill: Sequence Narrative Events

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with narrative beginnings?

Choosing a sentence that sounds dramatic but belongs in the middle or end of the story.

How can I help my child with narrative beginnings?

A beginning should tell who is there, where they are, or what problem is starting.

Are these 3rd grade writing worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 3rd grade narrative

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