Spotlight on Strategies
Mapping Out Story Structure
Background
4th Grade ELA Standard- Describe in depth a character, setting, or
event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions) (NC Deptartment of Public Instruction, 2012-2013)
Example
- Teachers explain story elements to your students, click on the interactive elements link http://www.learner.org/interactives/story/ . This link contains the story Cinderella, along with an explanation of each story element. There is a quiz at the end to check for understanding. This should be done as a whole class.
- Students should be ready to try this on their own. Show the video from youtube for the book Mufaro's Beautiful Daughter by John Steptoe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXPV35dah8I
- Tell students as they are watching they need to think about the elements of this story.
- Pass out a story structure map (a copy can be downloaded from here) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Story-Elements-Graphic-Organizer-1128564 and have your students complete it for Mufaro's Beautiful Daughter. Show the video a second time if needed.
Challenge
- Teachers explain or review story elements with your students using the following link- https://www.learner.org/series/interactive-elements-of-a-story/. Have your students complete the quiz at the end of the story. This can be done as a whole class, or individually if you have enough computers.
- Students can now try this activity on their own. You can assign them a book to read or allow them to watch this video from Discovery Ed for the book Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGmGwaYsBiw
- Tell students as they are watching they need to think about the structure of the story.
- Provide them a story structure map to complete at the end of the story. Show the video a second time if needed. If students are using a book remind them to refer back to the text when needed.
Extension Idea
- Teachers give your students a copy of the story structure map.
- Students can complete the story structure map with another fictional book.
- Using the story structure map will help your students organize their ideas so that they may begin writing their own fictional narrative.
Citations
Boozer. (Designer). (2011, August 25). Communicate correctly with mrs. boozer [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://6thgradecommunicationarts.blogspot.com/
Designed Instruction. (2002-2013). In search of story structure: Teaching readers cognitive strategies for story comprehension. Retrieved from http://www.designedinstruction.com/learningleads/story-structure.html
NC Deptartment of Public Instruction. (2012-2013). Instructional support tools. Retrieved from http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/common-core-tools/unpacking/ela/4.pdf
RRKidz, (1988). Reading Rainbow: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. [Full Video]. Available from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Salena. (Designer). (2010, September 27). I love my library card [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://salenabooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears.html
Weston Woods, (1975). Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. [Full Video]. Available from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Williams, C. (Designer). (2010, November 24). Number 95-mufaro's beautiful daughter [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://365daysuntil30.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/number-95-mufaros-beautiful-daughters/