Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Interactives: Elements of a Story
Explore the elements of a story using the well-known Cinderella story as source material. Learn about setting, character, sequence, exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution.
Other
Short Story Elements
Geared toward high school students, this site contains many notes and links on the aspects of short story, figurative language, and figures of speech.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Book Report Alternative: Examine Story Elements Using Comic Stri
Comic frames are traditionally used to illustrate a story in a short, concise format. In this lesson, young scholars use a six-paneled comic strip frame to create a story map, summarizing a book or story that they have read. Each panel...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Story Character Homepage
Online lesson which allows for young scholars to create an electronic "Home page," for a specific character when reading a class novel. Students research and create web pages, then present findings to the class.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Literary Elements
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart allows students to be actively engaged in identifying and describing story elements. It uses the Learning Focus lesson plan format, such as an activator, graphic organizers, modeling,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Interpreting Characters, Setting, Plot, & Theme: Triangle...
Middle schoolers will view video documenting the real-life story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911. Students will complete a story elements graphic organizer. This organizer will help them distinguish various story elements...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Story Elements
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart defines the elements of a story: character, setting, theme, and conflict.
TES Global
Blendspace: What Makes Stories Scary?
A learning module that includes fourteen links to websites, videos, and activities on writing scary stories. Lessons focus on vocabulary, plot and character development, elements of gothic stories, tone and mood, suspense, and more.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Planning Story Characters Using Interactive Trading Cards
Learners use trading cards to examine fictional characters in a story.
Other
Elements of Fiction
Simple discussion of the elements of fiction with a specific section devoted to Freytag's Pyramid (aka "basic plot structure"). A good place to start for gathering information on the structure of narrative.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Story Fairytale
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students learn the elements of a story through fairytales. These include character, setting, plot, and secret ingredient. Includes an Activote session.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Characters
Learn about the different types of characters in Cinderella, and determine which traits belong to the hero and villain. Click on the "Character" button.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Why Did Mamma Change Her Mind? [Pdf]
"Why Did Mamma Change Her Mind?" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a party. Mom said her son and daughter could each have 5 friends (5 boys and 5 girls). The girl wanted all girls so the party was cancelled. It is followed...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Train [Pdf]
"The Train" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a child's first train trip to Grandma's for the summer. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes:...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Traveling With Lewis and Clark [Pdf]
"Traveling with Lewis and Clark" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about traveling with Lewis and Clark on their expedition and the hardships of winter and food shortages they endured. It is followed by constructed-response...
Read Works
Read Works: I Need Quiet!
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about a boy named Kahlil who figured out a way to eliminate noisy distractions so he could read. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Hide and Seek
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about a girl named Tracy who played hide and seek with the cousins she was babysitting. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Literature Unit: "A Day No Pigs Would Die"
This site features questions for each of the chapters in Robert Newton Peck's "A Day No Pigs Would Die."
Read Works
Read Works: My Favorite Alley Cat
[Free Registration/Login Required] Requires free membership. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes scaffolding for vocabulary learning. It contains...
![America Dept. Of State: Outline of American Literature [Pdf] eBook](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410155/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0yotc0ny0xzhf5cgiwlmpwzw.jpg?1589985629 "America Dept. Of State: Outline of American Literature [Pdf] eBook")
Other
America Dept. Of State: Outline of American Literature [Pdf]
This online book presents an overview of American literature chronologically. Eras and movements are explained and biographies of significant authors are provided. This is a good way to understand the background and influences of...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: The Hound of the Baskervilles
View, read and discuss Conan Doyle's tale, "The Hound of Baskersvilles," and compare and contrast the story with the film. Explore the genres and elements of mystery and suspense that are present, and analyze characters, especially...
Read Works
Read Works: Plot 1st Grade Unit
[Free Registration/Login Required] A series of three lesson plans designed to teach students to identify problems and solutions in fiction text and to retell a story's problem and solution in sequence. Students learn to identify the plot...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Fairy Tales in New Settings
After reading Bubba, The Cowboy Prince by Helen Ketteman, the writer will first choose a fairy tale that he/she is very familiar with. Next, he/she will choose a completely different setting (time and place) for their story. The writer...
Read Works
Read Works: Plot 3rd Grade Unit
[Free Registration/Login Required] A series of four lesson plans designed to teach students to predict problems and solutions in fiction text and to identify the relationship between problems and character conflicts within a story....