The Magic of Poetry and Rhyme · Summer Term

Planning My Story

Using graphic organizers and drawings to map out ideas before writing.

About This Topic

Planning is the 'blueprint' stage of the writing process. For 1st Year students, moving straight to writing can be overwhelming, so learning to map out ideas through drawings and graphic organizers is essential. The NCCA curriculum encourages students to see writing as a process that involves thinking and organizing before the actual drafting begins. This stage allows them to establish their characters, setting, and the 'big problem' of their story.

By planning, students reduce the cognitive load of writing. They can focus on their creative ideas without worrying about spelling or punctuation yet. This topic comes alive when students can use collaborative brainstorming and visual tools to 'build' their story world together before they ever pick up a pencil to write a full sentence.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the key components of a story: character, setting, problem, and resolution.
• Create a visual plan or graphic organizer that sequences the main events of a simple narrative.
• Explain how a visual plan supports the writing process by organizing ideas before drafting.
• Compare and contrast different graphic organizer formats for story planning.

Before You Start

Identifying Story Elements

Why: Students need to be able to recognize characters, settings, and simple problems in stories they have heard or read before they can plan their own.

Basic Drawing Skills

Why: The topic relies on students using drawings as a primary tool for planning, so foundational drawing ability is necessary.

Key Vocabulary

Graphic Organizer	A visual tool, like a chart or diagram, used to organize information and ideas. For story planning, it helps map out characters, plot, and setting.
Character	A person or animal who takes part in the action of a story. Planning involves deciding who your main characters are and what they are like.
Setting	The time and place where a story happens. Planning includes deciding where and when your story unfolds.
Plot	The sequence of events in a story, including the problem and how it is solved. Planning helps map out the main events.
Resolution	The ending of a story, where the problem is solved. Planning helps decide how the story will conclude.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Story Map

In small groups, students use a large sheet of paper to draw a 'map' of their story's world. They must decide where the character starts, where the problem happens, and where the story ends, adding small labels for key locations.

⏱ 35 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Character Creators

Students draw a main character and think of three things about them (e.g., what they love, what they are afraid of). They share their character with a partner, who asks one question to help them add more detail to their plan.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Stations Rotation: Plot Pick-and-Mix

Set up stations for 'Characters', 'Settings', and 'Problems'. Students move through and pick one card from each to create a 'story recipe'. They then draw a quick three-box storyboard (Beginning, Middle, End) based on their picks.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Filmmakers and screenwriters use storyboards, a type of graphic organizer, to visually plan out each scene of a movie before filming begins. This helps them decide camera angles, character actions, and the overall flow of the story.

Game designers map out the levels, characters, and challenges of a video game using flowcharts and concept art. This planning stage is crucial for creating a cohesive and engaging gaming experience.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students often think a plan has to be written in full sentences.

What to Teach Instead

Model the use of 'sketch-noting' or single-word labels. Show that a plan is just for the author's brain. Peer sharing of drawings helps them see that pictures are a valid way to hold an idea.

Common Misconception

Children may forget to include a 'problem', leading to a story where nothing really happens.

What to Teach Instead

Use the 'Uh-Oh' moment. Every story needs an 'Uh-Oh'. In group brainstorming, ask 'What is the Uh-Oh in your plan?' to ensure there is a central conflict.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a simple graphic organizer template (e.g., boxes for character, setting, problem, ending). Ask them to fill it in for a familiar fairy tale. Collect these to check for understanding of story elements.

Quick Check

Display three different graphic organizer templates on the board. Ask students to vote (thumbs up/down, or write on a mini-whiteboard) which organizer they think would be best for planning a story about a lost pet, and to give one reason why.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a brief class discussion using prompts like: 'What was the biggest challenge you faced when drawing your story plan?' and 'How did looking at your drawing help you think about what to write next?'

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should be spent on planning?

For 1st Year, 15-20 minutes of active planning (drawing/talking) is usually enough to fuel a writing session. The goal is to spark ideas, not to exhaust them.

What are the best hands-on strategies for story planning?

Using 'Story Stones' or 'Story Dice' is excellent. Students roll the dice or pick stones with images on them to determine their characters and settings. This tactile, randomized approach takes the pressure off 'coming up with an idea' and turns planning into a fun, investigative game.

Can students plan in pairs even if they write alone?

Yes! Talking through a plan with a peer often helps students find 'holes' in their story or come up with more exciting details they wouldn't have thought of alone.

What if a student wants to change their plan while writing?

Encourage it! Explain that a plan is a guide, not a rule. This is a key part of the 'Writing Process', learning that ideas can grow and change.