Grades 2–4
Story Spinner: Who, Where and Uh-Oh
Pick a character, a setting and a problem from three lists, then write the story they make.
Writing worksheet · Narrative writing organizers
Six-Sentence Story Planner
A whole story in six sentences: who and where, a want, a problem, a try, what works and the ending.
- 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
“Write one sentence in each box. Put them together, and you have a whole story!”
Printed on the sheet:
- My story’s title:
- 1. Who and where Once there was…
- 2. What they want More than anything, they
- 3. The problem But…
- 4. The first try So they…
- 5. What finally works At last,…
- 6. The ending From then on,…
Teacher tip
Have kids hold up one finger for each sentence as they tell the story out loud.
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
- How does your character change by the end?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
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
Setting Senses: Describe the Place
A setting organizer: what you see, hear, smell and feel in a story’s place and time, then an opening paragraph.
Grades 3–5
Plot Twist Planner
Plan a surprise ending: what the reader expects, the twist and the hidden clue that makes it fair.
Grades 3–5
Character Feelings Roller Coaster
Track a character’s feelings at five points in a story, with why they feel that way, then write the biggest moment.
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