Lesson Plan- Story Mountain

Subject: Reading
Unit: Character Studies
Topic: Following a Character Up and Down the Story Mountain
Objectives
(SWBAT)

Students will be able to read closely in order to identify

details about characters and how they deal with conflicts and
resolve them by using a story mountain to track the story
progression.

Procedures
(What will you and the
students be doing during each
part of the lesson?)

First students will be asked to glue the Story Mountain page

into the notebooks.
Once you have completed this task please join me on the
carpet with your notebooks
Review/ Introduction: Readers, last week you all did a
great job identifying the character traits of Opal in Because
of Winn Dixie with Ms. Zorn. And we even learned a little bit
of about Opals mother
Today we going to look at what happens to a character
across an entire story. When I am reading a story I usually
notice that some of the most interesting parts involve the
main character. Thumbs up if you agree.
So Im thinking, in order for a story to be interesting the
main character has to encounter or face some type of
problem. Do you agree?
In a story there is usually one problem with small events
leading up to it making the problem bigger and bigger. Then
there is a turning point where the main character truly faces
the big problem. Then finally towards the end of the story the
main character will come up with a solution to solve the
problem. Readers, today we will map out this problem using
a story mountain.
The teacher will turn around to point and explain each part of
the story map
1. First we have the Introduction, which includes the name of
the main character. It also includes any hopes or wants that
the main character has.
2. Next there are two small events that occur where the main
character may respond emotionally. (2)
3. Then a big event occurs where the problem becomes
bigger and the main character reacts to this problem.
4. Next the problem is solved with a solution or an important
answer.
5. Finally in the conclusion we are able to discuss what the
main character did to solve the problem and how the main

character feels about solving this problem.

The teacher will Read Aloud Peters Chair and create a
story mountain with the students as they read.
Before Reading: All stories follow the same story mountain
no matter how long or short a story may be, it could be
Because of Winn Dixie or it can be a shorter story, like the
story I am going to read to you today, titled Peters Chair.
Has anyone ever read or heard of this story? Thumbs up if
you have.
During Reading: As I read today, let's pay close attention
to the hurdles or problems that Peter faces and use the story
mountain to show them.
There will be a blank story map on the board- As we read we
will stop at certain parts of the story to decide which part of
the story map each particular part belongs to. Do not write
out each event, just allow students to get an idea and write
their own thoughts ( Only the first one will be completed as a
class)
*Put little marks on the mountain each time the class asks he
or she to.
*Students will give a thumbs up each time they feel a big
event should be added to the story mountain. Students will
record thoughts on the story mountain in their notebooks (in
their own words).
*While reading the teacher will think aloud the building
tension up to the climax. Hmmm I wonder what will happen
next ex: Peter seems a little sad that his cradle has been
painted a different color, I think I would be a little upset
too.
After Reading: Every story can be mapped out or plotted
on the story mountain, even if the events are not the same.
Stories follow a predictable sequence! As readers, we expect
characters to move along a story mountain in predictable
ways, encountering problems or hurdles. You can create
ongoing story mountains each time you read, pulling the
important parts out and tracking how characters build to the
main problem and resolution. Great Job with the story map
today readers!
Students will read independently and add the story mountain
to their bank of strategies.
The teacher will confer with individual students and give
compliments, teaching points, and decide on a next step. This
will be based on the thoughts that they have wrote in their
notebooks as the teacher read aloud.

Assessment
(How will you assess the
students success?)

Worksheet to show students

Participation in discussion.
Notebook pages.
Conferring.

The problem becomes

bigger and the main
character reacts to this
problem.

Small event that occurs

where the main character
may respond emotionally.
Problem is solved with a
solution or an important
answer
Small event that occurs
where the main character
may respond emotionally.

how the main character

feels about solving this
problem

name of the main

character, and hopes or
wants that the main
character has.
Peters Chair

Worksheet to view on Doc Cam

Larger Problem/
Event Occurs

Small event or
Problem .
Problem is
solved
Small event or
Problem
How the main
character feels about
solving this problem

-Name of the main

character,
-Hopes or wants
Peters Chair

My planned out Story Map for Peters Chair

Peter runs away with

his blue chair before
it gets painted.

Peters parents
painted his crib pink
for his sister.- Peter
isnt happy
After realizing he is too
big for his chair, peter
wants to paint the chair
pink for his sister.

Peter no longer gets

all of the attention.
Ex: His building

Peter and his dad

paint the chair and
now Peter is happy.

Peter has a baby

sister now, he is no
longer the only
child.
Peters Chair