Story Parts Chart
Every story has characters (who), a setting (where), and a beginning, middle and end.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read the short story.
- Find the characters and the setting.
- Tell the beginning, middle and end.
Teaching tip
Ask the same five questions after every bedtime story. This sheet is aligned with Common Core RL.K.2.
About this chart
Characters, setting, beginning, middle and end, shown with a short story about Sam and his dog.
What kids practice
Listening comprehension is understanding a story you hear. Kindergartners understand far more than they can read yet, so a grown-up reads out loud and the child answers with pictures, drawings and words. These sheets practice the big ideas, who is in the story, where it happens, and what happens at the beginning, middle and end.
Watch for
- Telling only the ending. Ask, "What happened first?"
- Mixing up the order. The first, next, last sheet helps.
- Adding things that weren't in the story. Read that part again together.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full listening comprehension guide for kindergarten.
More sheets in this set
2. Listen and CircleA short read-aloud story with picture questions to answer by circling.
3. First, Next, LastPicture sets like egg, chick and hen to cut out and glue in order.
4. Story MapA story map with boxes for the characters, setting, beginning, middle and end of any book.
5. Retell with My HandA hand with one story part on each finger, who, where, problem, events and ending.
6. Listen and DrawA short read-aloud story with boxes to draw the beginning and the end.