STORY ELEMENTS

RL.K.3  With prompting and support identify characters, settings, and major events in stories.

Story Sticks – Write “Who?” “What?” “Where?” “When?” “Why?” on jumbo crafts sticks.  Place them in a sock.  Before reading a story throw the sock over your shoulder as a prompt to the children.  After reading the story let children pull out a stick and tell that part of a story.

*You could also write “title,” “author,” “illustrator,” “problem,” “resolution,” “beginning,” “middle,” “end,” or other types of information on the sticks.

Flip Books – Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise.  Fold into fourths and then eighths.  Open and cut half way down on the three creased lines as shown.  Fold in half so children can lift and draw - first, next, then, last. 

Label the front of the flips “Character,” “Setting,” “Problem,” “Resolution.”  Children lift and illustrate.

Funny Pages – Cut appropriate cartoons from the Sunday funny pages.  Cut apart frames and have children put them back in order.  Encourage them to make up their own stories to go with the cartoons.

Dress Up – Plan a party for “Famous Book Characters” where children get to dress up like their favorite character.  Who are they?  Why do they like that character?  How are they similar to that character?  Describe adventures the character has.

Nursery Rhymes – Nursery rhymes are the perfect springboard for beginning to recognize story elements.  “Who is the main character in Humpty Dumpty?”  “What is the setting of Jack and Jill?”  “What is the problem in Little Miss Muffett?”

Partner Share – Divide students into groups of two.  (An easy way to do that is to have them touch the elbow of the person sitting closest to them.  That’s their partner!)  Children can discuss various story elements with their partner, their favorite part of the story, or predict what might happen next.