Introducing “Plot” to

First Graders

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Teacher Page

• Content: Reading/Writing Comprehension

• Grade Level: 1st-2nd

• Creator: Marge Humphrey

• Curriculum Objective:IB, IIA

• MAP Goal 1.5; CA 2, CA3

• Other Information: Print off the last page for the children to use as a planning page for their own story.

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An author has a plan for a story. That is the plot.

Often there is a main character. She/He has a problem and the story is about how he or she solves it.

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Have you read The Little Red Hen?

• Who is the main character?

• That’s right! Little Red Hen

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The Little Red Hen

What is the setting?

What is the problem?

List the three main events.

The author had to think of all that

before he wrote the story.

That was the story plan which we

call the plot.

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The author has to put it in a sequence.

He/she needs to have a beginning, middle and an ending.

Beginning

The little red hen found some seeds.

Middle

The friends would not help her with any chores.

Ending

The little red hen and her chicks eat the bread.

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Could you write a story with a plot?Sure you can! Let’s get started!

First let’s think of a problem…

It’s your birthday and you do not have a cake.

Or

It has just snowed ten feet of snow!

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1. Think of a main character

2. Think of interesting ideas to help your character solve the problem.

3. End the story with a “feeling” sentence:

:

They were really happy!

She would never want it to snow again!

She loved her birthday party!

He really liked all the snow!

Feeling sentences could be like:

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Here’s a paper to help you write a story:

1st Grade Story Map

Character:___________________________

Setting_____________________________

Problem____________________________

___________________________________

Feeling at the end___________________

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Now go and write a story!