Increasing Engagment in Middle School Narrative Writing - Publishing their own Websites!

How My 8th Graders Published Narrative Writing Using Google Sites + AI or Hand-Drawn Images

One of the Most Engaging Narrative Projects I’ve Ever Done!

This year in 8th Grade ELA, my students completed a narrative writing unit and then published their stories using Google Sites. It became one of the most meaningful and engaging projects of the year.

Publishing transformed the assignment. Students weren’t just “turning in” a narrative — they were creating an author website. This shift completely changed the way they approached drafting and revision.

Using Transition Words to Strengthen Narrative Flow

Before publishing, we dedicated time to strengthening pacing and coherence. Middle school writers often struggle with scene shifts, chronology, and clarity during moments of action or reflection.

To support them, we used my Narrative Transition Words List (free on TPT). Students used this tool to:

• smooth out time jumps
• strengthen dialogue pacing
• add clarity to flashbacks and memories
• zoom into key moments for impact
• build stronger, more reflective endings

Seeing their writing on a webpage helped them see where transitions were working — and where they needed more.

👉 Click here to download the free transition list on TPT

Illustrations: AI or Hand-Drawn? Students Had a Choice

Students were invited to include visuals on their Google Sites. They had two options:

1. Create hand-drawn or painted artwork

Some students chose to illustrate scenes themselves, and those pieces turned out beautifully. However, because we didn’t build extra class time for drawing, most students chose the second option:

2. Generate images using Canva’s AI tool

Using Canva’s text-to-image feature, students created safe, school-appropriate visuals that matched:

• tone
• mood
• setting
• character details

We reviewed clear guidelines about:

• no copyrighted characters
• no gore or violence
• appropriate, school-friendly prompts
• using images to support (not replace) their writing

This step added excitement and creativity — an unexpected bonus during the revision process.

Publishing with Google Sites: A Modern “Author Page” Experience

Students created their own Google Sites and included:

• a title banner
• their full narrative
• optional illustrations
• an author’s note or reflection
• thoughtful color palettes and layouts

Seeing their writing displayed as a published piece motivated them to revise more intentionally and produce their best work.

Standards-Based Learning (Grade 8 CCSS)

This project aligned naturally with several key Grade 8 Common Core State Standards:

Narrative Writing

• W.8.3 – Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
• W.8.3.A – Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view.
• W.8.3.C – Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts, and show relationships among events.
• W.8.3.D – Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language.
• W.8.3.E – Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

Writing Process

• W.8.5 – With guidance and support, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, and rewriting.

Technology Integration

• W.8.6 – Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
• SL.8.5 – Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information.

Celebrating Student Work: Narrative Awards

To honor student creativity and hard work, we’re inviting teachers to vote on a small set of narrative awards. These will be presented at our next school meeting, which gives students a powerful sense of pride and recognition.

We chose five meaningful categories:

• Best Overall Narrative
• Best Use of Transitions
• Best Dialogue
• Best Visuals (AI or hand-drawn)
• Best Website Design

This has been such a fun way to spotlight their growth as writers while reinforcing key narrative skills.

Why This Project Works

Publishing transforms writing from something students complete into something they create. This project boosted:

• engagement
• pride
• creativity
• revision quality
• digital literacy
• attention to audience

The excitement in the room when they clicked “Publish” was undeniable.

Try This in Your Classroom

I’m putting together a second post — a full technical teacher tutorial — that covers:

• how to set up a class Google Site
• naming conventions for student sites
• the “share with teacher” workflow
• how to publish and retrieve student links
• how I built the master page with student buttons
• small tricks that saved me hours

If you’re interested in trying a digital portfolio or narrative showcase, that step-by-step guide will be live soon.

Free Narrative Transition Resource

If you’d like to use the transition list we used during revision, you can download it here:

👉 Narrative Writing Transition Words List (Free on TPT)