Tip #84 from Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKInley & Trombly) - Story Elements

 


Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.


#84

The Story Elements

 

Try this: Find the who, what, why, when, and where in a newspaper article that interests your child.

 

If you want to ask questions about the story your child is reading to check for comprehension, try starting with the questions about the important elements of the story. These are called the story elements. They include:

 

●      Who? (…are the main characters)

●      What? (…is the problem, goal, conflict, situation, plot)

●      Where? (…does the story take place)

●      When? (…does the story take place)

●      Why? (…do the characters act as they do)

●      How? (…do the characters accomplish their goal or solve their problem)

 

If your child can answer these questions with detail, you can assume he has a good understanding of the story. You can use the story map to practice summarizing as well (Idea #158).

   


     Cindy McKinley Alder                                            Patti Trombly

 

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