Picture This! Creating Our Own Stories

English Language Arts Grades 1st Grade 17:07 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson helps first graders learn how to create a story from a picture using their imagination and important storytelling elements like characters, setting, and plot.

Video Resource

English Language - Grade 1: Composition - Picture Story

Guyana Learning Channel

Duration: 17:07
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Storytelling
  • Imagination
  • Picture prompts
  • Narrative Structure

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify characters, setting, and potential plots in a picture.
  • Students will be able to create a short story with a beginning, middle, and end based on a picture prompt.
  • Students will be able to name characters and give a title to their story.
  • Students will be able to orally share their story.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by greeting the students and introducing the topic of picture stories. Ask if anyone has ever made up a story about a picture. Briefly explain that today, they'll learn how to create their own stories from pictures.
  • Video Viewing and Discussion (15 mins)
    Play the YouTube video: 'English Language - Grade 1: Composition - Picture Story'. After the video, review the key tips provided in the video: (1) Study the picture carefully, (2) Use your imagination, (3) Create a name for the story, (4) Name the characters, (5) Think before you write, (6) Ensure the story has a beginning, middle, and ending.
  • Picture Story Creation (20 mins)
    Display a picture (either the bear picture or the messy room picture from the video, or another appropriate image). Guide the students through the process. Start by asking them what they see in the picture. Encourage them to name the characters and brainstorm possible settings. Help them think about what might be happening in the picture. Then, have them write their own short story based on the picture. Remind them to include a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Sharing and Review (10 mins)
    Have students share their stories with the class. Encourage positive feedback and discussion. Review the importance of using imagination and including all the elements of a good story (characters, setting, plot, beginning, middle, end).

Interactive Exercises

  • Character Name Game
    Show a picture with characters, but without clear details about them. Have the students brainstorm different names for each character and discuss what kind of personalities those characters might have based on their names.
  • Story Starter Sentences
    Provide a list of different 'story starter' sentences related to a picture prompt. Students choose one and begin their story from there, building on the provided opening.

Discussion Questions

  • What do you see in this picture?
  • What could be happening in the picture?
  • Who are the characters in your story?
  • What is the name of your story?
  • What is the setting of your story?

Skills Developed

  • Creative Writing
  • Storytelling
  • Imagination
  • Oral Communication
  • Descriptive Writing

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What should you do first when you see a picture you want to make a story about?

Correct Answer: Study the picture carefully.

Question 2:

What helps you make a story more interesting?

Correct Answer: Using your imagination!

Question 3:

What is it called when you give your story a name?

Correct Answer: A title

Question 4:

What is one thing you should include in your story?

Correct Answer: A beginning

Question 5:

What can you do to make your story characters more fun?

Correct Answer: Give them names!

Question 6:

Where does your story take place?

Correct Answer: Setting

Question 7:

Which of these is NOT a part of a story?

Correct Answer: Alphabet

Question 8:

What is the middle of the story also known as?

Correct Answer: Body

Question 9:

True or false, it is important to have a clear ending to your story

Correct Answer: True

Question 10:

If a character is not named, what should you do?

Correct Answer: Give them a name

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

First, you should ________ the picture carefully.

Correct Answer: study

Question 2:

Use your __________ to make the story fun.

Correct Answer: imagination

Question 3:

Give your story a good _________.

Correct Answer: title

Question 4:

A story has a beginning, _________, and ending.

Correct Answer: middle

Question 5:

The place where the story happens is called the _________.

Correct Answer: setting

Question 6:

Characters help move the _______ of the story forward.

Correct Answer: plot

Question 7:

Make sure there is a clear ________ to the story so people know how it ends.

Correct Answer: ending

Question 8:

You can use your ________ to make up anything in the story that you want.

Correct Answer: imagination

Question 9:

The character's _________ is important so the reader can better understand them.

Correct Answer: name

Question 10:

The middle of the story is also called the ________.

Correct Answer: body

Educational Standards

1.2.W.2:Students will sequence the action or details of stories/texts. 1.3.W.1:Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot (i.e., beginning, middle, end), and a basic setting (i.e., time, place) with prompting. 1.1.S.4:Students will orally describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details expressing their ideas. 1.2.W.1:Students will express themselves through drawing and writing. 1.2.R.3:Students will sequence the plot (i.e., beginning, middle, and end) of a story.

Teaching Materials

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