Story Starters
This story starters worksheet has 3rd graders sort twelve starters into character, setting, and plot, then write a short story of their own. An answer key is included, and it makes planning a story fun.
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About this resource
Description
This story starters worksheet gives young writers the three building blocks of every good story: a character, a setting, and a plot. The character is who the story is about, the setting is where and when it happens, and the plot is what happens. When students can tell these parts apart, they have a plan before they write the first sentence, and blank-page worries fade away.
This 3rd grade story writing worksheet has two parts. In Part A, students read twelve story starters in a word box, such as a brave bunny, a snowy hill, and finds a map, and write each one in the correct column of a Character, Setting, and Plot chart. In Part B, they choose one character, one setting, and one plot from their finished chart and write a short story on six roomy lines. A cheerful picture of a treasure map on a sandy beach shows how two starters can spark an idea. Use the story starters worksheet in a writing center, as a warm-up before a narrative writing lesson, for homework, or as an early finisher activity.
What’s Included
- A word box with twelve story starters: four characters, four settings, and four plots
- A three-column sorting chart labeled Character, Setting, and Plot
- Six writing lines for a short story built from the child’s own choices
- A colorful illustration of a treasure map on a sandy beach
- An answer key for the sorting chart
Why It Helps Kids
First, sorting the starters teaches students to name the parts of a story, which helps them in both reading and writing. Second, choosing their own mix of character, setting, and plot gives every child a unique story idea, so writing feels like play instead of a chore. Third, planning the three parts before writing helps students stay on topic and write a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Have students share their stories with a partner and guess which three starters were used. Cut the word box apart and let students draw one card from each column for a surprise story. Challenge older writers to add a second character or a problem that gets solved at the end. You can also invite students to invent their own story starters for each column and trade them with a classmate.
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