Teacher Resources
A story map helps young readers find who is in a story, where it happens, what goes wrong, and how it gets fixed. Pick a map, read a story together, then fill it in. Each map works on screen or on paper.
Model story
Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom
A folktale from the Akan people of Ghana. Press See an example on any map to watch it filled in with this story. The History Frame uses Juneteenth.
Pick a map
New to story maps? Start with Start, Middle, Finish and move up as your learners get comfortable.
Simple maps
Three or four boxes. Good for early readers and first retellings.
Maps with more parts
Characters, setting, problem, solution and the bigger ideas behind a story.
Using story maps in your room
The same routine works for a whole class, a small group or one learner.
Name the parts
Talk through characters, setting, problem and solution using a story everyone already knows.
Map one together
After a read-aloud, fill in a big map on chart paper while students call out what they noticed.
Hand out blank copies
Learners fill in their own page while the class map takes shape.
Hand it over
Once the routine is familiar, students map as they read, or come back after to fill in what they missed.
Make it work for every learner
- Keep the helper questions on for younger readers and turn them off for older ones.
- Begin with Start, Middle, Finish. Move to the bigger maps when learners are ready.
- Model with a book that has very clear parts.
- Pair a learner who needs support with a stronger reader or writer.
- Multilingual learners can answer in the language they think in, or draw first and label after.
Plan your own story
Fill in a map before drafting. Learners decide on the characters, the problem and the ending first, then write.
Break down a word problem
Use the Five Ws and How to sort out who is in the problem, what is being asked, and how to solve it.
Map a real event
The History Frame fits people, places and turning points. Learners can also map a walk around the school, using words like beside, behind and between.
Follow a process
First, Next, Then, Last works for life cycles and experiments. What changed, and what did we find?