Writing Lesson
How to write about the way life used to be
Objectives
At the end of this lesson you will be able to:
• Write short texts about the way life used to be when I
was a child
• Use simple and compound sentences
• Use sequencing words
• Use expressions to make your story interesting
Life When I Was a Child
When I was a child, life was very different. We didn't have smartphones or the internet. I used to play
outside with my friends every day. We rode our bikes, climbed trees, and played hide and seek. I
remember how we enjoyed simple things like watching the clouds or catching butterflies.
Back then, my family didn't have a lot of money. We couldn't buy many toys or go on fancy vacations.
Instead, we made our own fun with what we had. I used to help my parents in the garden and
sometimes we sold vegetables at the local market. It was hard work, but I learned a lot.
These struggles helped me understand the value of hard work and the importance of appreciating what
you have. They taught me to be resourceful and to find joy in the simple things in life. Now, I see the
world differently. I am grateful for the small things and I know that happiness doesn't come from having
a lot, but from making the most of what you have.
Simple vs compound sentences
Read the following examples from the previous story. What differences
do you see?
• My life was quite complicated. • My life was quite complicated, so we decided to
• We decided to change and move. change and move.
• We left at five o’clock in the morning and the journey to
• We left at five o’clock in the
London took about sixteen hours
morning.
• The journey to London took
• On the last morning my friends stayed in bed late, but I
about sixteen hours.
got up early and went to Camden Market
• On the last morning my friends
stayed in bed late.
• I got up early and went to
Camden Market.
Simple vs compound sentences
A simple sentence only has one A compound sentence has two independent
independent clause. An independent
clause has a subject and a verb and
clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
expresses a complete thought. (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
• My life was quite complicated. • My life was quite complicated, so we decided to change
• We decided to change and move. and move.
• We left at five o’clock in the
morning. • We left at five o’clock in the morning and the journey to
• The journey to London took London took about sixteen hours
about sixteen hours.
• On the last morning my friends
stayed in bed late. • On the last morning my friends stayed in bed late, but I
• I got up early and went to got up early and went to Camden Market
Camden Market.
Try it out! The following sentences are simple. Use
the word in parenthesis to make them
compound
1. I tried to speak Spanish. My friend tried to speak English. (and)
___________________________________________________________
2. Maria went shopping. She didn’t have enough money to pay for everything. (but)
___________________________________________________________
3. The shoplifter had stolen clothes. He ran once he saw the police. (so)
___________________________________________________________
4. They spoke to him in Spanish. He responded in English. (but)
___________________________________________________________
5. I waited for the bus. It was too late. (yet)
___________________________________________________________
6. The house was destroyed in the fire. The whole family was saved. (but)
___________________________________________________________
An anecdote is a Telling
anecdotes or
short story about stories
an interesting or
funny incident or Here are some
event, often aspects to take
into account
biographical. when writing or
telling a story
• Who were you
with?
• Who else was
• When did it
happen?
Organize your
involved? ideas
Who When
Before you start
writing or telling
your story, make
What Why sure you know the
basic information
•What were the main
events in the story? • Why do you
clearly.
•What was the remember it?
sequence of events?
Sequence Adverbs
Use sequencing words to describe the sequence of
events in your story
Once upon a time First Then After that Later Finally
You can also use some expressions to
start, close your story or create more
interest
Introducing a Engaging the Closing the story
story reader or
listener
Once And guess what … I was so mad at myself
So,… And/ but you know I felt so stupid
Well,… what? It was such an/a …
You know,… Can you imagine? experience
Did I tell you about It was a very difficult moment
… …
Did you know that?
When I was
Once upon a time
Practice with a partner
Once upon a time
First
Tell your partner a short story
Then
about a time when you were
younger…
After that
Later
Finally
Practice makes perfect
Write your own perspective about when you were a child.
✔ Use both simple and compound sentences.
✔ Write the events that occurred
✔ Remember to use sequence adverbs
✔ Don’t forget to include the expressions for beginning,
engaging the reader and ending the story
✔ Use the next slide as an example
Life When I Was a Child
When I was a child, life was very different. We didn't have smartphones or the internet. I used to play
outside with my friends every day. We rode our bikes, climbed trees, and played hide and seek. I
remember how we enjoyed simple things like watching the clouds or catching butterflies.
Back then, my family didn't have a lot of money. We couldn't buy many toys or go on fancy vacations.
Instead, we made our own fun with what we had. I used to help my parents in the garden and
sometimes we sold vegetables at the local market. It was hard work, but I learned a lot.
These struggles helped me understand the value of hard work and the importance of appreciating what
you have. They taught me to be resourceful and to find joy in the simple things in life. Now, I see the
world differently. I am grateful for the small things and I know that happiness doesn't come from having
a lot, but from making the most of what you have.
