Understanding Story Elements: Character, Setting, and Plot
Understanding Story Elements: Character, Setting, and Plot Objective: Students will be able to identify and describe the elements of character, setting, and plot in a story to enhance their comprehension skills.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the main characters in a story.
- Describe the setting of a story including time and place.
- Retell the plot by summarizing the beginning, middle, and end.
Materials Needed
- A short story suitable for 7-year-olds (printed or digital)
- Paper and pencils
- Chart paper or whiteboard
- Markers
Key Vocabulary
- Character
- A person, animal, or figure in a story.
- Setting
- Where and when the story takes place.
- Plot
- The sequence of events that make up a story.
Detailed Activities
Read and Discuss the Story
- Read the selected short story aloud to your child or have them read it independently.
- Pause to discuss who the characters are, asking questions like ‘Who is in the story?’
- Talk about the setting by asking ‘Where and when does the story happen?’
- Discuss the plot by summarizing what happens at the beginning, middle, and end.
Create a Story Elements Chart
- Draw three sections on a piece of paper or chart labeled Character, Setting, and Plot.
- Ask your child to list or draw the main characters in the Character section.
- Write or draw clues about the setting in the Setting section.
- Help your child write a simple summary of the plot in the Plot section.
- Review the chart together to reinforce understanding.
Retell the Story
- Ask your child to retell the story using the chart as a guide.
- Encourage them to use their own words and include details about characters, setting, and plot.
- Provide positive feedback and help them correct any misunderstandings.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to think about how the characters feel and act to deepen understanding.
- Use simple questions to guide discussions and avoid overwhelming your child.
- Revisit the story elements chart during the week to reinforce learning.
Assessment Questions
- Who is the main character in the story?
- Where does the story take place?
- What happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the story?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child draw their favorite character or scene from the story.
- Create a new ending for the story together and discuss how it changes the plot.
- Read another short story and compare the characters, setting, and plot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try breaking down the story into smaller parts and use pictures or drawings to help visualize characters, setting, and events.
Use stories your child is interested in and involve interactive activities like drawing or acting out parts of the story.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may confuse setting with plot; clarifying that setting is where and when, while plot is what happens can help.
- Students might focus only on the main character and overlook supporting characters.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use storyboards with pictures to help visualize characters, setting, and events.
- Read the story multiple times and discuss each element separately.
For Advanced Students:
- Ask your child to identify themes or lessons in the story based on the characters and plot.
- Have them compare the story elements between two different stories.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes reading and discussing the story.
- Use 15 minutes to create and fill out the story elements chart.
- Use the last 15 minutes to practice retelling the story and review key concepts.
Standards
- 7.RL.7 — Identify and describe how elements of a story such as characters, setting, and plot contribute to the overall meaning.
Printable Worksheet
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