Picture books are a great introduction when working with students. Give them opportunities to practice identifying the plot element terms with activities such as:Īs students become proficient using and understanding the terms, give them opportunities to fill out the plot map for different books they read. You can provide them with various plot element activities they can work alone or with a partner. Providing students with opportunities to implement what they have learned is important. Provide Students with Activities to Practice Independently I usually write it on our interactive bulletin board while my students write it on their individual plot maps.ģ. Once the story is read, we fill out the plot elements in a plot map together. Resolution: Goldilocks never returned to the bears’ house again.Falling Action: Goldilocks runs out of the house and to her own.Goldilocks woke up to find three bears in the room. The bears noticed the girl sleeping in Baby Bear’s bed. They noticed the eaten porridge and the broken chair. Climax: As Goldilocks slept, the three bears got home.Rising Action Event 3: She found three beds and decided to lay down.She saw three chairs and decided to sit on one. Rising Action Event 2: She then wanted to sit down.One was too hot, one was too cold, and one was just right. While she was there, she noticed three bowls of porridge. Rising Action Event 1: Goldilocks was lost and wandered into a cottage which belonged to three bears.One morning, she was took a shortcut through the forest on her way to buy some muffins. Exposition: Goldilocks lives at the edge of the forest.I like to incorporate a fairy tale or short story with three major events that most students are familiar with, for example, The Three Little Pigs. Another great option is Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Once you’ve given students an overview, implementing the plot elements with a familiar story can be beneficial. Implement the Plot Elements in a Story Map Resolution: is the end of the story where all the loose ends are tied up.Ģ.The events follow the climax and leads towards the resolution of the story. Falling Action: Just like in a roller coaster ride, this part tends to move quickly towards the end of the story.I like to tell my students that this usually the part in the story where you don’t want to put the book down because you want to see what is going to happen. It usually contains the most exciting or surprising part of the story. Climax: is the turning point of the story.It includes the main problem of the story and contains several major events. Rising Action: Just as the term suggests, it is the main part of the story that builds anticipation in the reader.(The exposition many times will also give clues to the reader about the POV (point of view), whether its first person or third person.) It introduces the main character, setting, and basic situation needed to understand the story. Exposition: occurs at the beginning of the story.(You can click on the image above to download the anchor chart for your classroom.) They must understand that each has a purpose for building a story.ĭisplaying an anchor chart like the one above can help students visually see what the five plot elements are and how they help one another build a story. Teach What the 5 Plot Elements Areįirst, students need to know that there are five major plot elements in a story.
(This blog post may contain some Amazon Affiliate links which means that if you purchase through the link, Amazon will throw a few pennies my way at no extra charge to you) 1. So, how can we help our students master the elements and what they are?
They should be able to identify what the elements are and how they are used. In order to help our students master plot structure, we must start off by teaching the plot elements. Knowing how stories are structured helps students comprehend the stories they read, predict upcoming events in a story, and conclude what the theme of the story might be.
Developing a solid understanding of the elements of a story is essential.