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Plot Resources

32 plot resources: 23 worksheets, 6 Common Core Lessons and 4 activities. How teachers use these

Plot Resources

32 plot resources: 23 worksheets, 6 Common Core Lessons and 4 activities. How teachers use these

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeStory Plot Order of Events Worksheet

Second graders read a short story about a first day of school, then number six events in order on this story plot order of events worksheet. Answer key included for quick, no-prep sequencing practice.

Worksheet
WorksheetKindergartenSequencing Pictures Worksheet

This sequencing pictures worksheet has kindergarten students number four sandwich-making pictures in order and finish four First, Next, Then, Last sentences. An answer key is included to make checking quick.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradePlant a Seed Sequence Worksheet

The Plant a Seed Sequence Worksheet helps 1st graders put five planting steps in order from first to last. Includes a complete answer key—perfect for quick, no-prep sequencing practice at home or school.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeMaking a Bed Sequence Worksheet

This Making a Bed Sequence Worksheet has 1st graders order five steps, number the boxes 1 to 5, and rewrite them in sequence. Answer key included — a fun, no-prep way to practice sequencing.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeHow to Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich Sequence Worksheet

The How to Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich Sequence Worksheet has 2nd graders number six mixed-up steps in the correct order. Includes an answer key — a fun, no-prep way to practice sequencing and reading comprehension.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeCharacters and Story Plots Worksheet

This characters and story plots worksheet gives 2nd Grade readers a short story, then asks them to name the characters and tell the beginning, problem and ending. An answer key is included, so retelling a book gets easier.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeEndings Worksheet

This endings worksheet helps 3rd grade students compare how two stories they have read end, explaining each ending and how the two are alike and different to build strong reading skills.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeNarrative Pyramid Worksheet

This Narrative Pyramid Worksheet prints an original story for 3rd graders, then asks them to summarize it row by row, from one word up to six. An answer key is included, so it works as a quick reading check or a pre-writing plan.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeSequencing Brainstorming Worksheet

This sequencing brainstorming worksheet has 2nd graders number five story events in order, then plan the steps of their own activity. An answer key is included, so checking takes just seconds.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeStory Events Order of Events Worksheet

Students read a short story about a walk to Grandma’s house, then use this Story Events Order of Events Worksheet to number six events in order. Built for 2nd Grade with an answer key included — sequencing practice ready in one print.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeImportant Events Worksheet

This important events worksheet has 1st graders read a short story about Little Bear and answer five questions about the plot. An answer key is included for fast, easy checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeBeginnings Worksheet

This beginnings worksheet helps 3rd grade readers describe how two stories they chose open, then explain how those beginnings are alike and different to strengthen story structure skills.

Activity
Activity1st GradeBeginning Middle End Plot Activity

Kids sort story cards with this beginning middle end plot activity for 1st to 3rd grade, then retell the story on a roller coaster plot chart. An answer key is included for easy checking.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeHow to Make a Sundae Sequence Worksheet

This How to Make a Sundae Sequence Worksheet asks 1st graders to read five how-to steps and number them from first to last. An answer key is included, so it is ready for no-prep sequencing practice.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeProblems and Solutions Worksheet

This problems and solutions worksheet gives 2nd Grade readers a short story and five questions about the problem and how it gets solved. An answer key is included, so students can practice finding plot evidence on their own.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeIce Cream Sundae Sequence Worksheet

Use this ice cream sundae sequence worksheet to help 2nd graders read five mixed-up story steps and number them in order. An answer key is included, so checking work takes only seconds.

Activity
Activity1st GradeDescribing Characters Beginning Middle and End Activity

In this describing characters beginning middle and end activity, 1st to 3rd Grade students order story cards and name feelings. Answer key included.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeBuild a Snowman Sequence Worksheet

The Build a Snowman Sequence Worksheet asks 1st grade readers to number five winter steps in order, then write the first, middle, and last one. Answer key included, so ordering practice checks itself.

Common Core Lesson
Common Core Lesson5th GradeRL.5.5 Fifth Grade Common Core Lesson

This RL.5.5 Fifth Grade Common Core Lesson includes RL.5.5 Worksheets, RL.5.5 Activities, RL.5.5 Assessment, and RL.5.5 Poster.

Activity
Activity1st GradeCharacter Setting Plot Activity

This character setting plot activity has 1st to 3rd graders read a short story, sort story cards by element, and order the plot. Answer key included for quick checking.

From our teachers' playbook

Problems, twists and happy endings

What do kids learn about plot?

The plot is what happens in a story. Young readers start with beginning, middle and end: who the characters are, what goes wrong and how it gets fixed. In 2nd and 3rd grade they learn that most plots center on a problem and a solution, and they retell the most important events in order. Older kids learn the parts of a plot mountain: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. They also explain how events build on each other. The click comes when a child can tell you the problem of a book in one sentence!

Our favorite ways to teach plot

Every kid loves a good story. These moves help them see how stories are built.

Build the story pyramid

After reading, kids fill in a narrative pyramid: character at the top, then setting, problem, events and solution. Seeing all the parts at once helps kids notice what they skipped.

Why it works: pairing a picture with each word gives kids two ways to remember it, a well-tested principle of how people learn (Mayer, 2009).

Narrative Pyramid WorksheetTry it withNarrative Pyramid WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Mix and match the story

Give groups cards with characters, settings and problems, and have them build a brand-new plot. Then they trade with another group and retell it. Building plots shows kids that every story needs the same parts.

Why it works: kids understand an idea best when they touch it, then draw it, then write it, the order the U.S. Department of Education recommends for elementary math.

Characters and Story Plots WorksheetTry it withCharacters and Story Plots WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Name the problem first

Before retelling, ask "What went wrong?" and model one sentence: "The problem is that Ben lost his dog." Then trace how the characters solve it. Starting with the problem gives kids the backbone of any plot.

Why it works: handing over the work step by step, from teacher to student, is one of the most widely used teaching frameworks (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983).

Problems and Solutions WorksheetTry it withProblems and Solutions WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Questions parents and teachers ask about plot

What is plot in a story?

Plot is the sequence of events in a story. It usually includes a beginning that introduces the characters, a problem in the middle and a solution at the end.

What are the five parts of a plot?

The five parts are exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Many teachers draw it as a mountain, with the climax at the top.

How do I teach plot to young kids?

Start with beginning, middle and end. After reading, ask "What happened first? What was the problem? How did it get fixed?" Drawing each part helps a lot.

What is the difference between plot and sequence?

Sequence is the order events happen. Plot is how those events are connected, especially the problem, the climax and the solution. Sequencing is a building block for understanding plot.

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