Story Elements | Substitute Teacher
Students will learn to identify the main story elements in a short read-aloud: characters, setting, and important events. The lesson is designed for a substitute teacher and uses simple, repeatable routines, partner talk, and drawing to support Grade 1 readers.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Character | A person or animal in the story. |
| Setting | Where and when the story happens. |
| Event | Something that happens in the story. |
| Retell | To tell the story again in order. |
Greet students, explain that today they will learn about story elements, and review the words character, setting, and event. Ask: 'What do we talk about when we tell about a story?'
Listen, repeat the vocabulary words, and share any ideas they already know.
Read the story aloud with expression. Pause briefly to model noticing story elements: 'I see a character...' 'The setting is...' 'One event is...'
Listen to the story and answer simple questions with thumbs up, pointing, or short responses.
On the board, create three headings: Character, Setting, Event. Ask students to help fill in each heading using the story just read. Prompt with questions such as: 'Who was in the story?' 'Where did it happen?' 'What happened first?'
Share answers orally, help sort ideas into the correct category, and use the story for evidence.
Have students turn and talk with a partner about one character, the setting, and one event. Then ask them to draw one part of the story and label it with a word or short phrase.
Discuss story elements with a partner and complete a quick drawing with labels.
Invite a few students to share their drawings or answers. Restate the three story elements and review the class chart.
Present work, listen to classmates, and repeat the key vocabulary.
Ask the class to finish the sentence: 'A story has...' and review that characters are who, setting is where, and events are what happens.
Respond orally and show understanding by repeating the story element definitions.
Review the three story elements one last time: characters, setting, and events. Ask students to give a thumbs up if they can name each one in a story.