Developing a solid understanding of the elements of a story is essential. Knowing how stories are structured helps students comprehend the stories they read, predict upcoming events in a story, and conclude what the theme of the story might be. In order to help our students master plot structure, we must start off by teaching the plot elements. They should be able to identify what the elements are and how they are used.
So, how can we help our students master the elements and what they are?
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1. Teach What the 5 Plot Elements Are
First, students need to know that there are five major plot elements in a story. They must understand that each has a purpose for building a story.
Displaying an anchor chart like the one above can help students visually see what the five plot elements are and how they help one another build a story. (You can click on the image above to download the anchor chart for your classroom.)
- Exposition: occurs at the beginning of the story. It introduces the main character, setting, and basic situation needed to understand the story. (The exposition many times will also give clues to the reader about the POV (point of view), whether its first person or third person.)
- Rising Action: Just as the term suggests, it is the main part of the story that builds anticipation in the reader. It includes the main problem of the story and contains several major events.
- Climax: is the turning point of the story. It usually contains the most exciting or surprising part of the story. I like to tell my students that this usually the part in the story where you don’t want to put the book down because you want to see what is going to happen.
- Falling Action: Just like in a roller coaster ride, this part tends to move quickly towards the end of the story. The events follow the climax and leads towards the resolution of the story.
- Resolution: is the end of the story where all the loose ends are tied up.
2. Implement the Plot Elements in a Story Map
Once you’ve given students an overview, implementing the plot elements with a familiar story can be beneficial.
I like to incorporate a fairy tale or short story with three major events that most students are familiar with, for example, The Three Little Pigs. Another great option is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Example:
- Exposition: Goldilocks lives at the edge of the forest. One morning, she was took a shortcut through the forest on her way to buy some muffins.
- Rising Action Event 1: Goldilocks was lost and wandered into a cottage which belonged to three bears. While she was there, she noticed three bowls of porridge. She decided to taste them. One was too hot, one was too cold, and one was just right.
- Rising Action Event 2: She then wanted to sit down. She saw three chairs and decided to sit on one. The first was too hard. The second was too soft. The third was just right until it broke.
- Rising Action Event 3: She found three beds and decided to lay down. The first was too high. The second was too low. The last was just right.
- Climax: As Goldilocks slept, the three bears got home. They noticed the eaten porridge and the broken chair. The bears noticed the girl sleeping in Baby Bear’s bed. Goldilocks woke up to find three bears in the room.
- Falling Action: Goldilocks runs out of the house and to her own.
- Resolution: Goldilocks never returned to the bears’ house again.
Once the story is read, we fill out the plot elements in a plot map together. I usually write it on our interactive bulletin board while my students write it on their individual plot maps.
3. Provide Students with Activities to Practice Independently
Providing students with opportunities to implement what they have learned is important. You can provide them with various plot element activities they can work alone or with a partner.
Give them opportunities to practice identifying the plot element terms with activities such as:
- Cut and Sort
- Task Cards
As students become proficient using and understanding the terms, give them opportunities to fill out the plot map for different books they read.
Picture books are a great introduction when working with students. Using different fairy tales or folk tales is a great option.
Here is a list of good options for introductory lessons or independent practice:
Students can now fill out a plot map for just about any story they read individually or books you read together as a class.
You can also focus on individual plot elements as you see fit by having students fill out anchor charts with dry erase markers and page protectors. You can also post the the individual anchor charts around the classroom and have students bring up sticky notes and stick them on. The options are endless.
Hopefully, you now have a variety of ideas on some effective and engaging ways of teaching plot elements to your upper elementary students.
