Grades 2–4
Character, Setting, Problem, Solution
A four-square story planner: character, setting, problem and solution, each with room to draw and write.
Writing worksheet · Narrative writing organizers
Somebody Wanted But So Then
The Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then chart for planning or retelling a story, plus a one-sentence summary.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 25 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Narrative writing, Story planning, Sequence and transitions, Details and description
What kids do
“Use these five words to plan a new story or to retell one you read.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Somebody Who is the main character?
- Wanted What did they want?
- But What was the problem?
- So What did they do about it?
- Then How did it end?
- Now put it all together in one or two sentences.
Words on this sheet
WantedButSoThen
Teacher tip
Practice the chart on a fairy tale everyone knows before kids use it on a new story.
How to use it
- Let kids plan in drawings or quick notes, not full sentences.
- Give kids time to tell their story to a partner before drafting.
- Keep a word wall or a word bank in reach so spelling does not stop the ideas.
Watch for
Kids who spend the whole time drawing. Set a timer for the sketch.
Talk about it
- How does your character change by the end?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
Take it further
Have kids act out their stories in small groups.
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 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.
Grades 2–3
Transition Words for Stories
A short pond story with six blanks for first, next, then, suddenly, after that and finally, then three sentences to write.
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