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My Story Map

My Story Map.jpeg

We’re excited to share a new tool designed to help young writers plan and organize their stories with ease! The “My Story Map” Worksheet is a free resource crafted for students from kindergarten through to grade 6 who are learning to create narratives in their literacy lessons. By breaking down a story into manageable parts, this worksheet empowers students to plan each section thoughtfully, setting them up for narrative success.

 

What is the “My Story Map” Worksheet?

The “My Story Map” Worksheet is structured with four key boxes, each dedicated to a different part of a story’s framework:

  1. Setting: In this box, students can describe where their story takes place, from detailed scenery to specific locations. This helps young writers visualize the

  1. environment they want to create.

  2. Characters: Here, students plan the main characters involved in their story. This could include a detailed description of the protagonist and supporting characters, giving students a sense of who drives their narrative.

  3. Problem: This section focuses on the central conflict or challenge the characters face. This could be anything from a mystery to solve, an obstacle to overcome, or a goal to achieve, helping students anchor their narrative around a core issue.

  4. Solution: In the final box, students outline how the problem is resolved, guiding them to think about story endings and resolutions, creating a satisfying narrative conclusion.

By using this four-part structure, the “My Story Map” Worksheet provides a clear and organized approach for students to think about each essential part of their story, helping them build a cohesive and engaging narrative.

 

Why Use “My Story Map” for Narrative Planning?

The “My Story Map” Worksheet is designed to support a range of benefits in the writing process:

  • Builds Story Structure Understanding: Students can break down the different elements of a story, which helps them understand how narratives are structured.

  • Encourages Detailed Planning: By focusing on each part separately, students learn to think about the depth and detail in their stories.

  • Supports Creative Thinking: Planning each story element inspires students to brainstorm creative ideas and imagine new possibilities for their narrative.

  • Improves Writing Confidence: With a roadmap in place, students can approach their writing with greater confidence, knowing they have a clear outline to guide them.

 

Classroom Ideas for “My Story Map”

The “My Story Map” Worksheet is versatile and adaptable for a variety of classroom activities. Here are some ways you can use it with your students:

  1. Pre-Writing Activity: Use the worksheet as a pre-writing tool to help students outline their story ideas before they begin their drafts.

  2. Storytelling Prompts: Give students a prompt or scenario and have them use the worksheet to brainstorm how they would develop it into a story.

  3. Group Story Planning: Have students work in pairs or small groups to fill out the worksheet and then share their ideas with the class, encouraging collaboration.

  4. Character and Setting Focus: Use the first two boxes—setting and characters—as a standalone exercise. This can help students develop descriptive language and setting details.

  5. Peer Review: Allow students to exchange their filled-in worksheets with a partner for feedback, helping them refine their story ideas before writing.

  6. Practice with Fairy Tales: Use the worksheet to map out classic stories or fairy tales, helping students recognize and analyze story structure in well-known narratives.

  7. Weekly Story Challenge: Make it a fun, ongoing activity where each week, students plan a different story on the worksheet. This can help them become more comfortable with story structure and planning.

  8. Illustrate the Story Map: Have students add illustrations alongside their story plans to help them visualize their ideas and add creative flair.

 

Download the Free “My Story Map” Worksheet!

The “My Story Map” Worksheet is free to download and ready to use in your literacy lessons. It provides young writers with a structured and simple way to plan their stories, building a foundation for narrative success.

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To get started, click the download button below to access this resource in a convenient PDF format. It’s perfect for individual use, group work, and even classroom displays.

Happy storytelling!

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