WINNER OF THE POLAR EXPRESS POSTER GIVEAWAY!
Grades: 2nd to 3rd Grade
Summary: The Polar Express Elements of a Story
Story Map with Polar Express
Grades 2/3
Objective: Elements of a Story - Students will analyze the structure and elements of a story by noting the setting, characters, problem, events and resolution.
Materials: Train pattern of engine-with the words title and author with blanks for student to fill in. 4 Box car patterns with the words setting, characters, problem, and resolution- one word on each car with space for the student to fill in the information.
-Large 12\" x 18\" black construction paper.
-Green construction paper
-Small pine tree pattern
-Crayons, scissors and glue
Activity:
Teacher reads "The Polar Express" by Chis Van Allsburg.
The teacher discusses the story elements of characters, setting, problem and resolution with the students. The teacher will model the lesson by placing the train cars she has prepared on the chalk board as she discusses each element. The teacher will then explain to the students the activity they will do.
Each student will need to fill in the information for each train car: setting, character, problem, and resolution. The engine has the author and title. Next, they color and cut out the train cars. The student will color a mountain on the large piece of black construction paper. (Using the white crayons) Tracks can also be drawn going up and down the mountain. Then the student will glue their prepared train onto the paper. The engine with title and author and then the box cars with setting, characters, problem and solution. Finally the students can use the pine tree patterns and glue them around the page to finish their work.
Assessment: Students will use their story maps to retell the story to the teacher or fellow students. Story mapping helps students internalize the structure of stories and is useful for aiding understanding of new stories.
Submitted by: Sheryl
