Story maps for narrative texts

Middle elementary and above

• Sequence of events
• Character development
• Make predictions
• Writing
• Scaffolding strategy to help students with story retelling

Strategy steps:

1. 1. Make a chart of the elements of narrative structure. Lower elementary children first begin to learn story mapping by identifying and describing what happens at the beginning, middle, and end of a story. For older students, divide the chart into segments labeled as shown:

   The events and the resolution may be repeated in complex stories or novels.

   2. Prepare questions from the story that will lead the students through the story map.
   3. Discuss the organization of the story and explain the story map.
   4. During guided reading, use the prepared questions to focus the students’ attention on story structure as they discuss the text.
   5. If this is a new strategy for the students, after guided reading, model for them how to fill out a story map using a story they have used previously.
   6. Provide as many demonstrations as needed. Provide guided practice using another previously read story.
   7. Have students fill in the story map using the new story. They may do this together, independently, or in small groups. Use the prepared questions to provide support, if necessary.
   8. Provide guided practice as the students compare this story with other story maps they have made.
   9. Students write a short composition comparing their “new” story map to another map they have already made.