Story map (free printable graphic organizer)
Boxes for the characters and setting, the problem, what happened at the beginning, middle and end, the solution, and what the reader learned. Edit the labels and print.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
A story map turns a narrative into parts a child can name: who, where, what went wrong, how it unfolded, how it was fixed and why it mattered. The page runs from the top to the bottom in the order of the story, so a child following it follows the plot. The three event boxes are joined by arrows and numbered, which supports retelling in order. Every label is editable, so the same sheet can say Mood instead of Setting for an older class, or Theme in place of What I learned. It works with a picture book, a chapter of a novel, a short story or a film, and it makes a useful base for a retelling or a summary.
Grades: 1 to 6. Best in: September, October, November, January.
How to use it
- Edit any label that does not suit your class, such as Beginning, Middle, End. Leave a line blank to keep the default.
- Read the story aloud or have students read it, then fill in the top boxes first, characters and setting, together.
- Students fill in the rest alone or in pairs, then use the map to retell the story to a partner in order.
Five ideas for class
- Model the map on the board with a familiar fairy tale before using it with a new book, so students see the parts in a story they already know.
- Ask students to retell the story to a partner using only the map, and have the partner say whether anything was missing.
- Turn a finished map into a written summary: one sentence for each box, joined with the words first, then and finally.
- Use a different color for the problem and the solution so students see how they connect, and draw a line between them.
- Create a map for a story the class writes together, planning the plot before the first sentence is written.
Related
Questions
Which grades is it for?
From first grade through middle school. Younger students can draw in the boxes and older ones can write in full sentences.
Can I use it for a chapter and not a whole book?
Yes. Change the heading to the chapter title and fill in the events of that chapter only.
What does the last box ask?
By default, What I learned. Edit it to Theme or The author wants us to think… to match your lesson.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?
Your edits are kept in this browser so they are there next time, and are never sent to us. No sign-in, no ads.
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