Navigation
Students practice putting the beginning, middle, and end together to retell a whole story.
Have you ever tried to build a sandwich by putting the bread in the middle? It would be a sticky mess! Stories are just like sandwiches—they need a part, a part, and a part to work.
Every story has a beginning. This is the part of our story train. In the beginning, we meet the characters (who the story is about) and see the setting (where the story happens). To tell someone about the start, we use the word First. For example, 'First, the little frog sat on a log.' It sets the stage for everything that happens later!
Let's look at the very start of a story about a flower: 1. First, a tiny seed is tucked into the warm, brown dirt.
This tells us who (the seed) and where (in the dirt).
Quick Check
Which word do we use to talk about the very start of a story?
Answer
First
The middle is the car on our train. This is where the action happens! Usually, a character has a problem or does something exciting. We use the word Next to move from the start to the middle. If we skip the middle, the story feels like it is missing its heart. It connects the start to the finish.
Let's add to our flower story: 1. First, the seed is in the dirt. 2. Next, the sun shines and the rain falls to help the seed grow leaves.
Now we have some action!
Quick Check
What is the special word we use for the middle of the story?
Answer
Next
The end is the and final car. This is where the story finishes. We find out how the problem was fixed or how the characters feel now. We use the word Last or Finally to show we are done. A story without an end leaves us wondering what happened!
Let's put all three parts together to retell the whole story: 1. First, a tiny seed was planted in the dirt. 2. Next, the sun and rain helped the seed grow big and green. 3. Last, the plant grew a beautiful red flower for everyone to see.
Which word is best for the part of a story?
If a story is about a boy losing his hat and then finding it, which part is 'finding the hat'?
The 'Middle' of a story is usually where we meet the characters for the first time.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to tell someone the three steps of how you got ready for school using the words First, Next, and Last.
Practice Activity
Pick your favorite picture book. Look at the pictures and try to find one thing that happens First, one thing that happens Next, and one thing that happens Last.