Scholars learn about the Hero's Journey as they read Ray Bradbury's "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh." They analyze the story's structure and narrative techniques. Finally, they write summaries of the text's central idea and use their...

In this lesson, students will review two elements of fiction, setting and plot, and learn how the setting influences the plot in stories.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Based on Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems, a lesson in which students learn how to utilize text and picture clues to determine a when and where the story takes place.

This lesson plan offers a step-by-step procedure for teaching students how to identify story elements and to summarize a story. It explains how to use a "Who Am I" activity, as well as a linkage activity in identifying characters and...

This intervention, which is based on Schema Theory, emphasizes linking previous knowledge structures (schemata) with reading materials. A pre-reading technique (see "My Story Map") provides a framework that directs learners' attention to...

The goal of this activity is for students to learn how to tell a story in order to make a complex topic (such as global warming or ozone holes) easier for a reader to grasp. Students realize that the narrative impulse underlies even...

Information and examples of different ways the setting of a text can affect the characters and character development. (Published: Sept. 29, 2016)

Contains plans for three lessons that teach a reading comprehension technique called the prediction strategy, where students predict what will happen in a story before reading. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional...

This resource provides a lesson plan to teach learners about the elements of a story.

Where did Miss Nelson go? We look at the key details in the text to determine what is happening throughout the story. Students will locate and record key details about story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution, and theme) in...

A printable narrative pyramid where students can record information about a story including the character, setting, problem, main events, and solution. Directions on how to use this type of graphic organize as well as lists of teaching...

It was the goal of reporter L. Hubbard to complete an expedition into the interior of Labrador where no white man had previously gone. The exhibit profiles his ill-fated journey as well as the later successful one of his wife, Mina....

Text of the short story "The Pimienta Pancakes" by O. Henry, a story set in the Old West. (Free site registration offers some additional features, e.g., the ability to insert annotations.)

This lesson is an introduction to a unit on personal narratives including the characteristics of a personal narrative: tells a story, events are in chronological order, and it has characters, setting, and plot. Click next at the bottom...

This is the text of the short story "A Bird in Hand" by George A. Birmingham, a story set in England in the early 1900s.

"Under the Clock" takes place in 'Five Towns' which is the setting for many of Arnold Bennett's stories. It is a pottery manufacturing town in English midlands. Read the full text on this site.

"An Unfair Advantage" takes place in 'Five Towns' which is the setting for many of Arnold Bennett's stories. It is a pottery manufacturing town in English midlands. Read the full text on this site.

Lesson that helps students understand why rules are needed. Students discuss the story Know and Follow Rules by Cheri J. Meiners, compare the rules in the book to rules at home and at school, and develop a list of rules for the classroom.

Classic Reader provides numerous classic works from famous authors. First published in 1885, King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard was the first English adventure novel set in Africa and was the first book in the Lost World literary...

This site provides information about characters, plot, and setting of several different pieces of literature. It offers links to activities and tests on topic such as analysis and evaluation, creation and production, drama, novels, and...

This is the text of the short story "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov. Imprisoned for life or ending life - which is the more humane? The lawyer truly believes in life at any cost so the banker sets a wager.

This is the eighth article in a series that focuses on helping the new novel author. This article looks at how the author can avoid creating stumbling blocks that disrupt the flow of the novel.

This is an adaptation of the fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin" in text form.

Text of the short story "Parker Adderson, Philosopher" by Ambrose Bierce, which is set during the American Civil War. (Free site registration offers some additional features, e.g., the ability to insert annotations.)