Story startersAges 8–11
Story Mountain
Plan a whole story as a mountain: the beginning, the build-up, the big problem at the top, the fix and the ending.
Story sheet · Places and maps · Ages 8–11
Story Map
Draw the map of your story world, mark the danger and the secret spot, then plan the route from start to finish.
- Ages
- Ages 8–11 (grades 3–5)
- Time
- about 35 minutes
- Part of a story
- Places and maps
- Kids practice
- plotting a journey, setting, map skills
What kids do
“Your character has a long way to go. Draw the map of their journey.”
- Draw your story world. Mark the start, the finish and the route between them.
- Places on my map
How to run it
- Show a real map key and compass first.
- Each place on the map can be one part of the story.
- Ask kids to tell the journey out loud before they write it.
Talk about it
- Which place on the map is the most exciting part of the story?
- Is there a shortcut? Why doesn’t the character take it?
- What would someone find at the secret spot?
Take it further
Write the story one map stop at a time, a paragraph for each.
Draw first, then write
Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.
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CharactersAges 8–11
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