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What
is Story Mapping?
A story
map is a visual depiction of the settings or the sequence of major
events and actions of story characters. This procedure enables students
to relate story events and to perceive structure in literary selections.
By sharing personal interpretations of stories through illustrations,
students increase their understanding and appreciation of selections.
Story maps can be used as frameworks for storytelling or retelling,
and as outlines for story writing.
What
is its purpose?
- to
enhance students' interpretative abilities by enabling them to
visualize story characters, events and settings
- to
increase students' comprehension of selections by organizing and
sequencing main story events
- to
develop students' sense of story which will assist storytelling,
retelling and writing
- to
increase students' awareness that story characters and events
are interrelated
How
can I do it?
- Introduce
story mapping as a collaborative activity.
- Introduce
this strategy using a story with an uncomplicated plot.
- Read
the selection to students.
- Encourage
students to visualize the characters, settings and events as they
listen.
- Discuss
and chart the main characters and story events.
- Review
the chart, focusing students' attention on the sequence of main
events.
- Emphasize
what happened first, next, and then . . . .
- As
students agree upon the order of listed events, number these in
sequence.
- Individuals
or groups could each illustrate one story event.
- Display
completed illustrations in sequence.
- This
pattern or framework can be used for retelling the story.
- Students
can retell the story for their own enjoyment, to a partner, to
a small group or to the class.
- Story
illustrations can be displayed in a vertical or a horizontal sequence,
in a circular pattern or as a winding trail that traces the movements
of the characters.
- Once
students become familiar with this procedure, they can create
a sequence of illustrations that will provide an outline for storytelling
or for writing original stories.
How
can I adapt it?
- As
a prewriting activity, students could sketch the beginning, middle
and concluding events as frameworks for their stories.
- Students
could use paper folded into six equal sections to illustrate and
outline a story in six parts. This framework could assist storytelling
or story writing.
- Students
may construct written maps or story graphs, or they may use combinations
of drawings and words to outline a story sequence.
- Oral
tellings of stories could be recorded and students could create
accompanying illustrations in the format of wordless picture books.
- Story
maps may be used to organize story events for book
talks, puppetry or book making activities.
- Story
grammars also display the interrelatedness of story events, characters
and events.
Assessment
& Evaluation Considerations
- Note
students' ability to identify main story characters and events.
- Note
students' ability to sequence story events.
- Story
maps reveal students' level of comprehension of story events and
structure.
- Variations
among students' story maps illustrate their personal interpretations.
Teacher
Resources
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