Grades 2–4
Somebody Wanted But So Then
The Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then chart for planning or retelling a story, plus a one-sentence summary.
Writing worksheet · Narrative writing organizers
Beginning, Middle and End Planner
Three draw-and-write boxes for planning a story’s beginning, middle and end.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Narrative writing, Story planning, Sequence and transitions, Details and description
What kids do
“Plan your story in three parts. Draw a picture and write a sentence or two for each part.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Who is in the story? Where are they?
- What problem happens?
- How is the problem solved?
Teacher tip
Retell a familiar story like The Three Little Pigs in three parts before kids plan their own.
How to use it
- Plan a class story together on the board using the same organizer.
- Retell a well-known picture book with the organizer before kids plan their own.
- Model the first answer on the board, thinking out loud as you write.
Watch for
Plans that list events without a problem. Ask what goes wrong.
Talk about it
- Where does your story get exciting?
- Where else do writers use this skill?
Take it further
Turn the plan into a draft in writing workshop the next day.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More narrative writing organizers
Grades 2–4
Character, Setting, Problem, Solution
A four-square story planner: character, setting, problem and solution, each with room to draw and write.
Grades 3–5
Small Moment: Slow It Down
A personal narrative planner for one small moment: four steps, what you saw, heard, felt and thought, then the draft.
Grades 4–5
Personal Narrative: Hook and Ending
A planner for a true story: three kinds of hooks to try, the events in order and an ending with a feeling or a lesson.
Free for teachers
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