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Story Elements in Pre-K

By Karen Cox | Affiliate Disclosure

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Discussing story elements is a great way to encourage discussion and build new vocabulary in Pre-K. Using pictorial symbols makes it easier for young children to learn the elements of a story.

Story Elements in Pre-K

There’s a neat printable on the Georgia Pre-K website for teaching this to Pre-K children. I know many of you might not know about this resource, so I’ll link to the printable at the end of this post.

The printable contains Story Symbols to represent these story elements:

  • Star = Main Character, “Who is the star of the story?”
  • Globe = Setting, “Where in the world does the story happen?”
  • Heart = Characters’ feelings, “How did he/she feel?”
  • Magnifying Glass = Problem, “Look closely to find the problem in the story.”
  • Tool Box = Solution, “How did they fix the problem?”

The first time we did this activity back in August, we started with one symbol: the star. The next time, we added the globe. After that, we had 3 symbols: star, globe, and heart. Later, we added the problem and solution symbols. When we do this activity, I say the picture symbol (such as “globe”), but I also say what it means, “the globe is the setting, the place where it happens”. That way, the children learn the “fancier” terminology as we do this through the year.

I use these symbols in two ways: on a chart and on a ring. For the chart, I glue the story symbols to a poster with a picture of the book cover at the top (see photos). As the children tell me about the story elements, I draw a simple picture beside each story symbol that represents what they said. We usually make a story elements chart about once a week.

To make the story ring, just laminate the story symbols and hook them onto a binder ring. You can use the story ring to have the children discuss the story as you flip through the cards. Going through the story ring is a quicker activity, and could be used as a transition activity.

These are some examples below of the story charts we have made in class. (Please excuse my bad artwork — I’m not a terrific artist and I try to draw these quickly so the kids don’t get bored.) Hint: The kids won’t care how good/bad your art is, but if drawing “on the spot” makes you nervous, just practice drawing things you think the kids will say the day before.

Story Elements 5
This year’s class really likes to use the word “cross”.

Story Elements 1

Story Elements 2

Story Elements 3

Story Elements 4

The printable doesn’t come from me, but here is how you can find it. Go to Georgia Pre-K’s Off to a Good Start page. When you’re there, click the “Printable Resources” tab, then click to download the “Story Symbols”. The book covers can be found online through Google Images or similar.

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50 Comments

About Karen Cox

Karen is the founder of PreKinders.com. She also works as a full-time Pre-K teacher in Georgia. Read more...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cherine says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    I really love this idea!! Thank you for sharing the file 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:56 pm

      You’re welcome, Cherine!

      Reply
  2. Lauren says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    LOVE love love this idea. Thank you so much. Going to start it tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:56 pm

      Great! Hope you kids enjoy the activity!

      Reply
  3. Debbie says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Love this idea!!!!

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      Thanks, Debbie!

      Reply
  4. Mary says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    I love this idea. I’m printing it now and using it this week. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks, Mary!

      Reply
  5. Amanda Gordon says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Thanks so much, Karen. I can’t wait to use these tomorrow in class!!!! You have wonderful ideas and I really enjoy using them.

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks, Amanda!

      Reply
  6. Nikki Price says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    Love this!!! Making the transition from 4th grade to kindergarten next year I love seeing things like this! The same skills the kids are going to need all the way through… It’s just a fabulous way to introduce them! Thank you so much for sharing, I really enjoy reading your posts.

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks, Nikki! Hope you have a great year in Kindergarten. 🙂 That’s so true that it helps children learn skills they will use later in school, and with the symbols, it is done in an age-appropriate way.

      Reply
  7. Michele S says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I love this idea. It is such a great way to introduce the parts of a story! You are so generous to share! As a class each year we make up a story on teddy bear day…. it is hard to get started and this will be a great help. And I am excited to try it to retell stories also.
    Thank you :o)

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:39 pm

      Interesting idea, Michele. I had not thought of using these symbols to help children make up a story, but they would be an awesome tool for that! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  8. Ana RURH says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Thank you Karen Cox !!! for chering wonderful idea

    Ana Rurh

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      Thanks for visiting, Ana!

      Reply
  9. Diane says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    These look terrific and I will put these to use with my preschoolers. Thanks for these great resources!

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 9, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      You’re so welcome, Diane! Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  10. Tonia says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    Wow! this is such a great idea. thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  11. Jennifer says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this idea. My daughter is involved with speech therapy and one of her goals is to work on retelling a story to improve her expressive language skills. I think this would be a perfect aid!

    Reply
  12. Amy says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    LOVE this idea! Can’t wait to try this later this week! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!

    Reply
  13. Frieda says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    I really look forward to your weekly mails. I love your ideas and implement them whenever I can. Thanks a ton.

    Reply
  14. Debbie Sauntman says

    April 10, 2013 at 12:18 am

    So excited to start using these story ideas! My kids are hooked on reading now! Can you give me a list of good picture books that have great themes? (my class are 4’s & 5’s) Thanks again!

    Reply
  15. Elfinesh Zeleke says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:47 am

    It is a great input for kindergarten to introduce the parts of a story
    thanks for all your contribution on this field.

    With Regards

    Reply
  16. rajasree says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Really inspiring and wonderful idea. Thanks a lot

    Reply
  17. Tricia says

    April 10, 2013 at 7:47 am

    Thank you for this idea!

    Question: I clicked on the link provided, followed your directions & haven’t been able to locate it. 🙁 After clicking on the link, I was brought to Georgia’s Pre-K website, but could not find a ‘printable resources’ tab. Has anyone else encountered this?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 10, 2013 at 9:30 pm

      Look in the middle of your screen when you click the link.

      Reply
  18. marina alvarez says

    April 10, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Thanks Karen…Again you lead us to the top of our game! Great idea ,great visuals and works perfect to leave posted for children to go back to.Love it !!!!
    Thanks again. Have a blessed day.

    Reply
  19. Elisabeth Martin says

    April 10, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Great idea! I can’t wait to use this with my preschoolers, they will love it!
    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  20. Dru Wallace says

    April 10, 2013 at 11:03 am

    This is great!!!! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Luella says

    April 10, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    I like this idea

    Reply
  22. Paula says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    thank you for your ideias. I love them! (Portugal)

    Reply
  23. Magdalena Malanowski says

    April 10, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    Karen; Thank You for sharing your wonderful ideas. I get to use them a lot and they work great!
    Magdalena

    Reply
  24. Asma says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:24 am

    wonderful!my kidz would love it:)

    Reply
  25. Pedagogen says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Love this and thanks for this inspiring website!
    I have recently start a blog myself, hoping to inspire other teacher to!

    Reply
  26. Fleurdelis says

    April 11, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    Unable to find Printable Resources on the website. HELP! Fleur

    Reply
  27. Sandy Watson says

    April 12, 2013 at 7:11 am

    I run my own in home pre-k licensed by VA. and I do want to thank you so much for the time and effort you put into this site, I love it, my kids love it, and your skills to put the website together also are to be commended…I’m working on wordpress (but I’m 56 and computer illiterit (sic) getting there. (but in a word “THANKS”)

    Reply
  28. Nilsa I Sanchez says

    April 12, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Excellent idea for reading comprehension. Thanks for the this great idea.

    Reply
  29. Dwiana Pandanwangi says

    April 14, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks karen.
    Is very self-inspiring and i like it very useful for early childhood education in Indonesia.
    thanks for sharing it. Love from Indonesia

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      April 15, 2013 at 5:43 pm

      Thanks Dwiana!

      Reply
  30. Guilaine Tremblay says

    April 15, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Hello! Karen.
    I cannot print the story elements Symbols. I did what you said, but doesn’t work. Thank you Karen for everything what you doing for us, I used a lot your wonderful ideas, and my class always enjoyed everything….. Thanks very, very much!!!! You are amazing!!!!

    Reply
    • Guilaine Tremblay says

      April 15, 2013 at 12:47 am

      Hello! Karen.
      I tried again and it’s work. HA!HA! Sorry about that……

      Reply
      • Karen Cox says

        April 15, 2013 at 5:43 pm

        I’m glad it worked!

        Reply
  31. Nicole says

    April 28, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I really liked your idea. I’m going to try it with my preschoolers.

    Reply
  32. You TELL Me Stories says

    August 15, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Excellent posts! We’re sharing on Twitter and Facebook 🙂

    Reply
  33. Shemeka says

    October 24, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this information. Im sure my kids will have alot of fun doing this.

    Reply
  34. Maria says

    November 1, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Such a great idea of symbols to engage kids, thanks a lot!

    Reply
  35. Traci says

    February 9, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I can’t seem to locate this resource on the Georgia website you mentioned…any suggestions for helping me find it? It looks really great!!!! Thanks! Traci

    Reply
    • Karen Cox says

      February 10, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      When you go to that page, you’ll need to click the little tab that says “printable resources”.

      Reply
  36. Patricia says

    February 27, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    Thank you for this awesome idea. My 4.5 year old have been talking about characters for a couple of weeks, and today we added “setting” to our book discussion. We illustrated our responses on post-it notes and did a bit of interactive writing to label our work. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your work with other teachers!

    Reply

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Glad you're here! You'll find hands-on learning activities, themes, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten kids. I'm Karen Cox, a Pre-K teacher in Georgia. I have taught 4-5 year olds for 20+ years! Read More…

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Welcome!
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We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
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Welcome!
Would you like to join my FREE weekly update newsletter? Join 85,000+ subscribers!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!