During this instructional activity, students will analyze what distinguishes the stories they love. Reading and reviewing their favorite books will help students begin to identify elements of a story. Students have the opportunity to...

Analyzing a book takes the form of creating their own when pupils complete this activity. The stated goal is to help students "Read like writers." Includes link to a template for student use.

A lesson plan in which students read a narrative text and then turn a question wheel to answer questions about the characters, setting, conflict, and plot. Materials are included.[PDF]

The "Reign of Terror" that overtook the Osage Reservation in 1921 is just one chapter in the long story of mistreatment of Native Americans by whites, but is one of the most horrifying. Before the chapter ends, untold dozens of Osage...

This interactive game of "Match" assesses students' knowledge of story element definitions. Students will match the correct definition of a story element to its corresponding definition.

Do your students' minds go blank when they confront a blank piece of paper? Speedwriting can help them get started with writing as well as come up with topics to write about. They can then incorporate their key ideas and phrases into a...

Contains plans for two lessons that ask middle schoolers to apply Freytag's Pyramid (also known as Freytag's Triangle) to pieces of writing, oral storytelling, and television shows. In addition to objectives and standards, this...

A lesson plan in which students read a narrative text and answer questions about the plot. Materials are included.

This learning module focuses on analyzing story elements including the order of events, character, conflict, resolution, and plot. It provides a model story with questions and answers and then a practice story with questions.

These five activities allow students to explore the various Cinderella folktales, while comparing and contrasting the characters. They provide lesson extensions, links to charts, discussion questions and the like.

This is a glossary entry for the term "Characterization" including a definition and the characteristics to be developed: Character's appearance, actions, thoughts, voice, and reaction from others.

At this site choose between long version and a short version of these fairy tales translated from the Russian. Each one is illustrated. Be aware that there are advertisements on the page.