Students will
Learning objectives
- Identify the characters and setting of a story.
- Describe the problem and how it is solved.
- Put three main events in the order they happen.
- Retell a story aloud using first, next, then and finally.
Story Map Graphic Organiser
Students follow a winding road through seven stops to record a story's characters, setting, problem, three main events and solution.
Format
- Colour PDFThe full-colour resource, ready to print or projectAvailable
- PrintablePrinter-friendly, uses less inkAvailable
- Fillable PDFStudents type answers right into the fileAvailable
- Google ClassroomAssign and share digitallyComing soon
Only the colour PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.
At a glance
- Years
- 1–3
- Pages
- 2
- A4
- Type
- Worksheet
- Includes
- Filled-in model
Last updated
Page 1 of 2
A story map drawn as a winding road
Students follow a road that winds down the page through seven numbered stops: characters, setting, problem, three events and the solution. Each stop has writing lines and a small picture, and the three events get an extra line. Since First, Next, Then and Finally sit at the bends, a finished map can be used to retell the story aloud. The model fills in every stop for "The Patched Lantern," a five-sentence story about Noor, who mends a torn paper lantern with her grandpa's help.
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From the creator
Teaching tips
1
The setting stop asks where and when. Students often give only a place; the model gives both, "a lake in Noor's town" and "the night of the lantern float."
2
Keep each event to one action. The model events are one short sentence each, such as "Tape won't stick to the damp paper."
3
When the map is done, have partners trace the road with a finger and retell the story aloud, saying the road word at each turn.
Explore by skill
Skills covered
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Differentiation
Meet every learner.
Ways to adjust the story map for different readers.
Support
Draw and tell
- Let students draw a picture at each stop and add one or two words.
- Fill the map together from a read-aloud before students try one alone.
- Choose a story with one clear problem.
On level
Teach as written
- All seven stops for one story, then an oral retelling using the road words.
- Students check that the three events are in story order.
Extension
Go further
- Add a fourth event on the back and explain why it matters.
- Write a one-paragraph retelling from the finished map.
- Change the setting and tell how the story would change.
Curriculum alignment.
Each one is checked against the official document. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.
Australian Curriculum: English · Year 1
AC9E1LE03Plot, character and setting
Students fill a story map with the characters, setting, problem, three events and solution of a story they read; it does not ask them to discuss how these features work.
AC9E1LY05Use reading strategies to build meaning
Students retell a story in order from first to last, which practises summarising; visualising, predicting and questioning are not practised.
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