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What is a story map?

• A story map is where you pull out the important story elements, such as the main characters, setting, problem, key events, and conclusion, and create a visual guide to the story. 
• A story map should include all of the important pieces that make the story great.  
  • What makes the characters unique?
  • What events are significant to the outcome of the story?
  • What are the main details that describe the setting?
• A story map can be created based on a book that you have finished, OR it can be used to plan a story that you would like to write. 

How do I create my story map?

• First, you will need to open the Read Write Think Story Map Creator
• Here you need to type in the book’s title and your name.

• Now all you have to do is choose what graphic organizer you want to work on and follow the directions.  It’s that easy! 

What does it look like?

Below you can see how I created a Character Map for Kate DiCamillo’s book, Because of Winn-Dixie. 

 

Notice how for each new box a question appears just above the picture.  The question helps me decide what I should write. 

 

You are limited on how much you can type, so be sure to think first about what are the most important details.

 

Now that I finished my Character Map, I am ready to fill in my next graphic organizer.   

 

Click “Graphic Organizer” and choose what you want to create next.  Again, you will see questions that help you decide what to write in each box. 

 

Here is my Conflict Map:

Here is the Resolution Map:

 

Here is the Setting Map:

 

How do I print?

• Do you see the orange tabs on the right?  You can click Print at any time.  You don’t have to fill in all of the graphic organizers!  You can print just one.  It is your choice. 

What if I want to go back and change something?

• As long as you still have your project open, you can click on the Graphic Organizer title at the top (in orange) and go back to the one you want to change.  Then you just click in the box and add or delete as needed.
• If you want to change the title of your project, you will need to click the Edit tab on the right.

 

TEACHERS!!

• Go to Read Write Think Story Map page to find lesson ideas.  Your students can use this tool to demonstrate comprehension of a story or use this to plan their next story.
• Also visit Florida’s Online Reading Professional Development page to learn more about story mapping as a reading strategy.
• Saskatoon Public Schools also offers a great page with information on using this strategy in the classroom as well as a few additional story mapping resources.  *Head up – some links were not working, but if you keep looking, there are still several good ones ready to go!