Story Map Drawing Activity
After reading a book, draw a 'story map' showing the characters, setting, problem, and solution — making story structure visible and concrete.
What You'll Need
- 1Large paper or poster board
- 2Markers or crayons
- 3A storybook with clear plot structure
What You'll Need
Large paper or poster board
Markers or crayons
A storybook with a clear character, setting, problem, and solution
How to Play
Read a story together with a clear plot structure.
Get large paper and divide into 4 sections: Characters, Setting, Problem, Solution.
Characters: "Who was in the story?" Draw and name them.
Setting: "Where did it happen?" Draw the place.
Problem: "What went wrong?" Draw the tricky moment.
Solution: "How did they fix it?" Draw the resolution.
Retell the story using the map as a guide.
Try a second book with less help.
Tips
Story maps make invisible story structure visible. Most children experience stories as a flow of events, but reading comprehension requires understanding that stories have parts that work together. This map makes those parts explicit.
This is the exact skill tested on reading comprehension assessments throughout elementary school. Practice it casually now, and formal assessments will feel familiar later.
Start with very simple stories with one clear problem (like "Goldilocks" or "The Three Little Pigs"). Save complex plots for when the format is comfortable.
Keep completed story maps and compare them. Your child will start to notice that ALL stories have the same basic parts — that's literary analysis beginning.
Eventually, try making a story map BEFORE writing a story. Planning a story's structure before writing it dramatically improves the result.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: large paper or poster board, markers or crayons, a storybook with clear plot structure.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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