The note
How schools teach it now
Schools teach a story plan, often called a story mountain: opening, build-up, problem, resolution and ending, with a new paragraph for each. Children are encouraged to keep to one main character and one problem, and to 'show, not tell' how characters feel.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
At dinner, someone names a title ('The Missing Sandwich'). In two minutes, your child says one sentence for each part of the story mountain while you count them off on your fingers. Swap. You'll soon hear whether the story has a real problem and a proper ending.
Worked example
Plan a story called 'The Locked Door' in two minutes.
- Decide whose story it is and what the door hides: Maya, a door in Gran's attic.
- Problem: the key is lost and something is scratching on the other side.
- Ending: she finds the key in Gran's sewing tin; behind the door is a stray kitten. Make sure the title matters in the story.
Answer: A five-line plan (opening, build-up, problem, resolution, ending) that uses the title and has a clear ending.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Ignoring the title, or using a story learned by heart that doesn't fit it.
- Too many characters and events, so the story is rushed and never ends.
- Ending with 'and then I woke up' or 'it was all a dream'.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Great idea. What's the problem your character has to solve?”
- Rather than
- “That's not what the title means.”