Welcome to my index blog page, where I share literacy ideas and teaching materials for upper elementary students. I create various resources to help educators teach multiple reading skills to their students.
My blog includes several series, such as “Teaching Types of Conflicts with Movie Trailers,” “Plot Structures,” “Making Connections,” “Story Elements,” and “Figurative Language.” These series make learning engaging and interactive. I also offer resources to teach literacy skills like vocabulary, comprehension, figurative language, and spelling.
Teaching literacy can be challenging, so I give away many free resources that educators can use in the classroom or at home. I want to provide educators with practical, easy-to-use tools to help their students become confident readers.
I hope my index blog page will inspire and motivate educators to use innovative teaching methods and help their students excel in their literacy skills.
Oct 08
Let’s be honest—this isn’t the plot that leaves students cheering. Booker’s Tragedy is the one where the hero makes a few too many wrong choices and everything goes downhill… quickly. Instead of slaying the monster and dancing off into the sunset, this story ends in heartbreak, regret, and (often) someone’s untimely demise. So yes, it’s …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6408
Oct 01
Not all funny stories fit into this category—but some follow a very specific arc that leads to laughter, mix-ups, and that satisfying “finally!” moment at the end. The Comedy plot structure is like your favorite rom-com or high school drama with a twist: there’s confusion, miscommunication, lots of almosts… and eventually, everything falls into place. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6401
Sep 24
Stories that carry readers into unfamiliar worlds—whether magical or metaphorical—often follow the Voyage and Return plot structure. In these tales, a hero leaves home, faces strange and unexpected challenges, and returns transformed. This structure offers a powerful lens for teaching personal growth, imagination, and problem-solving. In these new lands, logic and common sense often fall …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6407
Sep 10
Some journeys are more than travel—they’re missions filled with friendship, danger, and discovery. In this lesson, students explore ‘The Quest’ plot pattern, where heroes face trials and chase treasures. This structure is a favorite in fantasy and adventure stories, ideal for teaching theme, teamwork, and perseverance. The questors might include: a close friend a sidekick …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6405
Aug 27
Every student dreams big—and stories that follow a ‘Rags to Riches’ arc show characters climbing toward a better life. This plot helps students explore personal growth and what it means to truly succeed. From fairy tales to contemporary fiction, it’s a relatable structure that pairs perfectly with character study. At the beginning of the story, …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6400
Aug 13
Some stories start with danger—a terrifying villain, a mysterious creature, or even an internal battle the hero must face. This structure, known as ‘Overcoming the Monster,’ gives students a gripping way to explore conflict, courage, and resolution. From folklore to fantasy to realistic fiction, this lesson helps students recognize this powerful plot pattern in action. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6390
Aug 06
How many basic plot patterns are there in literature? Depends on whom you ask. Some scholars say three. Others list twenty. Georges Polti charted thirty-six dramatic situations. Kurt Vonnegut famously sketched a single narrative “shape” on a chalkboard. And Christopher Booker, in his epic book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, organizes all …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6360
