Aligned with 1.RL.7: This lesson helps students meet 1.RL.7 in ELA by focusing on understanding story elements: characters, setting, and events.
Understanding Story Elements: Characters, Setting, and Events
Understanding Story Elements: Characters, Setting, and Events Objective: The student will be able to identify and describe the main characters, setting, and major events in a story, demonstrating comprehension by retelling key details.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the main characters in a story.
- Describe the setting of a story using details.
- Retell the major events in the order they happened.
Materials Needed
- A short story book appropriate for 1st grade (e.g., ‘Frog and Toad Are Friends’ by Arnold Lobel)
- Paper and crayons or colored pencils
- Story elements graphic organizer (simple chart with sections for characters, setting, events)
- Pencil
Key Vocabulary
- Character
- A person, animal, or figure in a story.
- Setting
- Where and when the story takes place.
- Events
- The important things that happen in the story.
Detailed Activities
Read Aloud and Discuss
- Read the selected short story aloud to the student with expression to engage interest.
- Pause after reading to ask questions about who the characters are and where the story takes place.
- Encourage the student to describe the characters and setting in their own words.
Story Elements Graphic Organizer
- Show the student the graphic organizer and explain each section: Characters, Setting, Events.
- Together, fill in the Characters and Setting sections based on the story read.
- Ask the student to recall and describe the main events, then write or draw them in the Events section.
Retelling the Story
- Have the student use the completed graphic organizer to retell the story aloud.
- Prompt the student with questions if they miss any parts: Who was in the story? Where did it happen? What happened first, next, and last?
- Praise efforts and gently correct any misconceptions.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Keep the reading session interactive by asking simple questions to check understanding.
- Encourage your child to express ideas in their own words to build confidence.
- Use the graphic organizer as a visual aid to help organize thoughts clearly.
Assessment Questions
- Who are the main characters in the story?
- Where does the story take place?
- Can you tell me what happened first, next, and last in the story?
Extension Ideas
- Draw a picture of your favorite character and write one sentence about them.
- Create a new ending for the story and share it aloud.
- Act out the story using simple props or puppets to reinforce understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the graphic organizer to break down the story into smaller parts and review each section together. Re-reading the story multiple times can also help improve memory.
Incorporate drawings, acting, or storytelling games to keep your child engaged and excited about the story.
Help your child by using words like ‘first,’ ‘next,’ and ‘last’ while guiding them through the story sequence. Visual aids like pictures or story cards can also help.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may confuse the setting with the characters or forget the order of events.
- Children might focus only on one element, such as characters, and ignore setting or events.
- Retelling may be too brief or missing important details.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Allow the use of drawings or simple phrases instead of full sentences.
- Re-read the story multiple times and use more guided questions.
- Use story sequencing cards to help visualize event order.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage writing a short summary including characters, setting, and events.
- Ask the student to compare characters or settings from different stories.
- Have the student create their own story using the same story elements.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Begin with a read-aloud and discussion for about 15 minutes to build understanding.
- Spend 15 minutes completing the graphic organizer together.
- Use the last 15 minutes for retelling practice and assessment questions.
Standards
- 1.RL.7 — Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Downloadable Lesson Plan
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