[Elmsprings]

When writing a narrative:
What steps do you teach?
I haven't taught this before--and I don't feel confident.
Do you have students indent every time that a new person speaks?

I greatly appreciate any advice!!

[Singvogel]

First, stick with your curriculum at the beginning.

Things fifth graders tend to need:

Beginning, middle, end focus (They often fizzle out at the end.)
Can use a traditional story map for planning.
Get them to focus on a few key events, or narratives become "and then, and then, and then."

Yes, they should indent every time there is a speaker change. I also emphasize that they only use dialog in a few key instances where it's the best way to show what's happening.

[Jenny]

Find some simple examples and break them down. For example, find the beginning, middle and end. Find the speech - get the kids to notice how speech works. Find the problem and solution.