Story Mapping

Story mapping is a powerful strategy that helps students to deconstruct and visually arrange the elements of a novel or short story. Students can analyze important story elements such as characters, setting, plot, and theme using graphic organizers. Visual maps help students better understand literature and see how various story elements interrelate.

Why Use Story Maps?

Story maps are excellent tools for a wide range of learning levels. A simple story map may ask beginning readers to summarize a story’s beginning, middle, and end. More advanced readers can use story maps to analyze elements like tone, point of view, and the author’s purpose. The great thing about story maps is that you can customize them to suit different reading levels and teaching objectives.

Story Maps and Common Core Alignment

In addition to being an excellent comprehension tool, story mapping supports a wide range of Common Core standards:

• Theme and Summarizing: RL.4.2, RL.5.2, RL.6.2
• Characters, Setting, and Plot: RL.4.3, RL.5.3, RL.6.3
• Meaning and Tone: RL.6.4
• Structure: RL.5.5, RL.6.5
• Point of View: RL.4.6, RL.5.6, RL.6.6

Just by adding story mapping to your lessons, you can address multiple standards while keeping students engaged.

Types of Story Maps

There are countless variations of story maps, each designed to target different aspects of a story. Some common types include:

• Basic Story Maps: These maps ask students to break down the beginning, middle, and end of the story or summarize elements such as the title, setting, characters, and problem.
• Detailed Story Maps: These maps require students to analyze the story’s theme, tone, mood, conflict, and resolution.
• Comparison Story Maps: Comparison maps ask students to assess two stories, looking for similarities and differences in characters, themes, and settings.

No matter the type, story maps provide students with a visual, structured way to understand what they’ve read.

Classroom Story Mapping Ideas

To make story mapping more engaging, try adding these activities to your lessons:

Group Story Mapping: Have students work in small groups to complete a story map together. Assign each student a different map element (like plot, setting, or characters), and then have them present their findings to the class.

Interactive Story Maps: Use sticky notes on a large story map poster or interactive whiteboard. Students can write their contributions and place them in the appropriate spots on the map.

Comparative Story Mapping: Challenge students to read two short stories or novels and create maps highlighting their similarities and differences. This activity is a great way to introduce compare and contrast skills.