How Did You Do?
Does your story map look like this one? 
Match the colors to find the details in the story.

 


Title: The Open Door

Character with a problem:  Zachary

    *What the character looks like  
       no details   
              

    *How the character acts  hungry, calm

    *How the character changes
             
no details 

Setting
   
*When    Summer

     *Where    
Zachary's house
         Louisiana

Problem

     *What is the character’s problem?
 
Zachary wanted the kitchen door to be open but animals kept coming in the house.
 

Event 1

When mom was making lunch, an egret walked through the door.

Event 2

After the egret left, a rabbit hopped through the door.

Event 3

After the rabbit left, a turtle walked through the door.

Lesson or Conclusion

Zachary and his mom decide to keep the turtle.  Mom and Zachary are going to work together to learn how to take care of a turtle.
 

"Mom, can we please leave the door open?" Zachary asked.
"No, we need to keep the door shut," Mom said.
"But I want to let the outside in," Zachary said. "Please, Mom. It's so nice out today."
"I guess it will be okay. It is nice to have a cool day for a change."

Zachary smiled. He loved having the doors and windows open after the long hot summer in Louisiana.  Zachary and his mom were busy fixing peanut butter sandwiches. Going to school made Zachary hungry. The sun shining through the doorway, and the fresh air made Zachary even hungrier. Zachary's mom stood at the kitchen sink peeling an apple when
Zachary felt something touch his leg. He looked down.
"Mom, there's an egret in our kitchen."
"Out, out Egret. You cannot have a snack with Zachary."
So the egret fluttered out the open door.
Zachary sat down at the kitchen table to eat his apple and sandwich.
He felt something touch his foot. "That egret must be back."
He looked under the tablecloth.
"Mom, it's not an egret. It's a rabbit!"
"Shoo, shoo, rabbit. You can't come inside," Zachary's mom said.
She chased the rabbit around the kitchen and back out into the yard.

Zachary finished his snack and took his dishes to the sink. He felt something touch his foot.
"Not again. What could it be this time?" Zachary looked down. "Mom, it's not an egret and it's not a rabbit, it's a turtle", said Zachary.
"May I keep him?" "Well, we'll have to find out what he eats. Do you know what kind of turtle he is? Do you know what he likes to eat or where he likes to live?" Mom asked.
"No, but I know how to find out. I'll use the computer. Will you help me?" Zachary asked.
"That sounds like a good idea, Zachary."

"I have another good idea," Zachary said.
"Let's close the door before an alligator strolls in."


Click here for more stories like these
Children's Stories
by Margo Fallis

 

 

This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer
Oswego City School District
Copyright © 2001-03
New York State Elementary Test Prep Center