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 Organizer
Students follow a winding road through seven stops to record a story's characters, setting, problem, three main events and solution.
Format
- Color PDFThe full-color 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 color PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.
At a glance
- Grades
- 1–3
- Pages
- 2
- 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.
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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.
Standards alignment.
Each one is checked against the official documents. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.
Common Core ELA · Kindergarten–Grade 2
RL.1.3Describe characters, settings and major events in a story, using key details
Students fill in the characters, setting, problem, three events in order and the solution of a story; the model does this for a short story about a torn lantern.
RL.K.3Identify characters, settings and major events in a story, with help
The same story map gives younger students a place to name who is in the story, where and when it happens, and what happens. The file has no read-aloud prompts or support steps, so a teacher would lead this.
RL.2.5Describe how a story is built, including how the beginning introduces it and the ending concludes it
The map follows the story from first to finally: the opening problem, the events, and how the problem is solved at the end. Students record each part but are not asked to describe how the beginning or ending works.
TEKS English · Grade 3
3.8(C)Plot: events, conflict and resolution
Students fill in the problem, three events in order and the solution of a story, with a short story as a model; the teacher supplies the main story.
3.7(D)Retell in logical order
Students retell the story stop by stop along the map, from characters and setting to the solution; they note it in short phrases rather than full paraphrase.
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