Tracking Story Elements While Reading
Grade 5 English Understanding Characters, Setting, and Plot Building Reading Comprehension Skills
Turn and Talk Discussion
What are the three main story elements in all fiction books? Why is it important to track these while we read?
The Three Main Story Elements
Characters - The people or animals in the story Setting - Where and when the story takes place Plot - What happens in the story (the events)
Creating Our Class Elements Chart
We'll track story elements as we read Focus on Chapters 1 and 2 today Special attention to SETTING details Chart will grow throughout our reading
Key Vocabulary for Today's Reading
Trod out - walked on Bovine - having to do with cows Contemplation - slow, deep thinking Veered - turned Gallows - place where prisoners are executed Trespassing - entering private property without permission
Focus Questions for Reading
What do we learn about the setting of Winnie's home? What can the setting teach us about the Foster family? What might 'touch-me-not cottage' mean?
Reading Strategy: Active Tracking
{"left":"As we read, listen for:\nCharacter details and descriptions\nTime period clues\nLocation descriptions","right":"Details about the Foster house\nHow characters feel about places\nWhat settings reveal about characters"}
Independent Reading Reminder
Continue tracking story elements in your own fiction books Use the same three categories: Characters, Setting, Plot Look for how setting affects characters in your stories Optional: Create your own tracking chart