anchor chart to teach analyzing story elements

On the y axis, indicate excitement level from low at the bottom to high at the top. On the x axis, list the desired story elements chronologically.

Plot the Story Structure Using a Graphįor older students, use a story graph to chart the story arc of plot sub-elements such as exposition, rising action, conflict, falling action, climax, and resolution. One at a time, each student reads a passage from a story you’ve studied that illustrates the element while the other students try to identify what’s on the card. Break students up into small groups or pairs and have each student pick a card without revealing its element. Write the story elements you’ve been studying on cards. Differentiate your maps by analyzing simpler or more complex structure elements. This can be done as a class, in small groups, or individually. Using a text you’ve studied, have your students describe selected story components.

For older students, use more elements and increase the level of detail required for each element.Ī story map is another visual tool that helps students summarize story structure to improve reading comprehension. Using a table like the one below, have students fill in each box with a brief summary from the story. The “Somebody Wanted But So Then” exercise provides a framework for summarizing a story by identifying and describing key story elements. In each box, have students draw a scene from a text you’ve read recently that illustrates that element. To make your own storyboard, simply list the elements of basic story structure you want to focus on (e.g., beginning, middle, and end) on a page with a large empty box next to each element. Storyboarding is a wonderful way to integrate art with story retelling. For older students, more complex elements such as character, setting, events, problem, and resolution should be introduced to increase difficulty. For younger students, simple elements such as beginning, middle, and end are appropriate.

Teach Story Structure to All Agesĭiscussions about story elements should start as early as preschool and continue through high school. We’ve compiled six tips and strategies for teaching story structure in ways that help boost reading comprehension skills. Teaching students story structure-how to identify the structural components of a text and how those different elements interact-is a great strategy for increasing reading comprehension, close reading skills, and retention. For many children, reading is not the problem-it’s understanding that presents significant challenges.

Anchor chart to teach analyzing story elements