Definition & Examples
A story map is "a graphic representation of all or part of the elements of a story and the relationships between them" (Davis & McPherson, 1989, p. 232). It is primarily used in language arts to teach students elements of plot in narrative texts. It is great for beginning readers to start to understand how texts are structured. Templates for story maps can be as simple as beginning-middle-end, as seen here, or they can be more complex to incorporate other elements of a narrative, such as setting and conflict, as seen here.
However, it is also possible to utilize story maps with other content areas, particularly social studies. History is full of stories, some of which can be told through narrative historical fiction texts. History textbooks are also full of stories. Reutzel (1985) utilizes a compare/contrast map to have students discuss the legend of Dolley Madison's ghost:
A story map is "a graphic representation of all or part of the elements of a story and the relationships between them" (Davis & McPherson, 1989, p. 232). It is primarily used in language arts to teach students elements of plot in narrative texts. It is great for beginning readers to start to understand how texts are structured. Templates for story maps can be as simple as beginning-middle-end, as seen here, or they can be more complex to incorporate other elements of a narrative, such as setting and conflict, as seen here.
However, it is also possible to utilize story maps with other content areas, particularly social studies. History is full of stories, some of which can be told through narrative historical fiction texts. History textbooks are also full of stories. Reutzel (1985) utilizes a compare/contrast map to have students discuss the legend of Dolley Madison's ghost:
Link to Writing
This strategy is aligned with Grade 7, Writing Standard 3, Benchmark c, which states that students should be able to "use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another" (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010, p. 43). By understanding the sequence of events in a text, which is the most frequent use of story mapping, students will be able to implement similar narrative story telling techniques in their own writing.
Video Examples
This strategy is aligned with Grade 7, Writing Standard 3, Benchmark c, which states that students should be able to "use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another" (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010, p. 43). By understanding the sequence of events in a text, which is the most frequent use of story mapping, students will be able to implement similar narrative story telling techniques in their own writing.
Video Examples
This clip shows an instructor working one-on-one with a student during her intervention time to map a story. The prompting questions that the instructor asks of the student are excellent and it seems like she is really thinking about the structure of the story, as well as key elements such as character and conflict.
Click HERE to view another video, which highlights a version of a story map that could be used in younger grades. This map introduces students to the concept of sequence of events. It's important to understand the range of grade levels and concepts that can be taught using this strategy.
Click HERE to view another video, which highlights a version of a story map that could be used in younger grades. This map introduces students to the concept of sequence of events. It's important to understand the range of grade levels and concepts that can be taught using this strategy.