Grade 3 · Writing · Narrative

3rd Grade Narrative Beginnings worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 6 minutes eachFree · no account

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Narrative Beginnings

Grade 3 Writing Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

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

1.
Story plan: Ana's kite gets stuck in a tree at the park. Which opening tells who is there and where?
- In the end, Ana got her kite back.
- Ana ran across the windy park with her red kite.
- The wind was strong that day.
2.
Mia is baking muffins with her dad. Which opening shows a problem right away?
- Mia lifted the flour bag, and it spilled across the floor.
- The muffins smelled warm and sweet at the end.
- Mia and her dad like to bake on Sundays.
3.
Which first sentence would make a reader want to keep reading Nora's school play story?
- Nora opened her mouth to sing, but no sound came out.
- Nora's school had a play in May.
- Nora was in the school play.
4.
Which sentence should come first in a story about Lily's lost mitten?
- Lily found the mitten under her bed.
- Then Lily looked in her coat pocket.
- Lily pulled on one mitten and could not find the other.
Write two sentences to begin a story about a puppy that runs off at the park. Sentence 1 tells who and where. Sentence 2 tells the problem.
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.

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