Elementary Lesson Plan:
Beginning, Middle and End of Story (Grades K-1)

Lesson Overview

This lesson has two objectives. The first is to address the standards listed below. The second is to provide an avenue for the students and teacher to discuss both emotional and physical safety at home and at school.

The story Bridgett Bunny’s Ordinary Day That Wasn’t is the focus of this lesson. Bridgett Bunny is a happy little bunny, living ordinary days until something very bad, sad and scary happens to her. She becomes withdrawn, which worries her friends. Wise Old Owl is able to get her to talk with him and to reassure her that she is safe now and can go on with her life.

 

Standards

Reading Applications: Informational, Technical and Persuasive Text:

1. Use title page, photographs, captions and illustrations (text features) to develop comprehension of informational text.
2. Identify the sequence of events in informational text.
3. Ask questions concerning essential elements of informational text.
4. Identify central ideas and supporting details of informational text with teacher assistance.
5. Follow multiple-step directions.

Reading Applications: Literary Text

1. Provide own interpretation of story, using information from the text.
2. Identify characters, setting and events in a story.
3. Retell the beginning, middle and ending of a story, including its important events.

Materials

• A copy of Bridgett Bunny’s Ordinary Day That Wasn’t
  (You can access a Web-streamed version of the story at www.pbs4549.org/trauma/video.htm. It is also available in storybook form at www.pbs4549.org/trauma/stories.htm. Or download the printable PDF version.)
• Crayons
• One sheet of paper, folded in thirds lengthwise, for each student
• Chart paper
• Markers (two colors)

Procedure

1. Begin the lesson by taking a look at the front cover and the title of the book with the students. Allow them to predict what the story is about.

2. After hearing several options, proceed with reading the story and showing the illustrations.

3. Avoid discussion after you have finished reading the story.

4. Ask students to go back to their seat and, on the paper given, draw the beginning, middle and end of the story.

5. When students have completed this, have them come back to the story circle and share their illustrations with the class. Listen closely for interpretations of what the bad, sad and scary thing was.

6. Lead the students in a discussion of physical and emotional safety in your classroom, school or at home.

7. Make a class list of things that make the children feel safe. Use one color of marker for items the children can control and another color for items that adults have to handle. Post the list.

Evaluation

Evaluation is fairly easy for the standards represented in this lesson. The pictures of beginning, middle and end will reveal the students’ understanding of the story.

Evaluation of the understanding of what makes them feel safe may be a little more difficult. If any students portray information that causes you concern, be sure to refer them to the school counselor for further evaluation.