Story+Maps

Story Maps
Section 5.3, (Instructional Strategy 7)

Rationale: The Story Maps strategy asks students to think about the classic elements of fictional structure: setting, characters, theme, and events. The teacher will list these elements for the entire class to see while asking students to fill each category.

Instructions: 1. Write or display the name of the different elements where all the class can see them. 2. Review the definition of each of the elements with the class. Provide examples from texts that the class has read. 3. Ask students to apply the process to a story you read in class.

Application to Language Arts: Follow the instructions for reviewing the elements of fiction. Read a short story in class, such as "The Necklace." Break the class into groups of three or four. Instruct the groups to identify each element in the story. Provide each group with a sheet of poster paper. Ask the groups to record the elements they identified on the poster. When the groups are done, call on a different group to present each of the elements.