Story Mapping Slides Heroes and Homes
You are the author! Today we find the stars of your story and the places they go using your AAC device.
The Big Question
"Who is going to be the hero of your story?"
Think: A monster? A student? A superhero? A puppy?
Navigator Skill: People
How to find them:
1
Go to Home
2
Look for the People icon
3
Open the folder to see your heroes!
"I am looking for..."
Navigator Skill: Places
"Where does it happen?"
Where to go:
Common Places:
School
The Park
Outer Space!
The Power of Customizing
Is your hero missing from your folder?
Tell a teacher or helper: "I need a button for ______."
Add New
Change Name
Hero and Home Worksheet My Story Map
Lesson 1: Hero & Home
Author:
Date:
Use your communication device to find a Character and a Place . When you find the word, tell your teacher! We will write it or draw it below.
My Hero (Character)
Draw your character here
Device Path:
Home People
The Character's Name:
The Home (Setting)
Device Path:
Home Places
Where the story takes place:
Draw the place here
Found on Device
Shared with Friend
Vocabulary Navigator Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Vocabulary Navigator Guide
Facilitating AAC navigation for "People" and "Places" folders. Focus on modeling, prompt hierarchy, and device customization.
Aided Language Input (Modeling)
Use your own device or a modeling board to show the student how to navigate. Think out loud as you do it:
Modeling People
"I want my story to have a hero. I'm going to look in PEOPLE . Hmm, let's see who is in here... I'll pick MONSTER !"
Modeling Places
"Where should they go? Let's check PLACES . Is it at SCHOOL ? Or maybe in the FOREST ?"
The Prompt Ladder
Level Technique What it sounds like 1 Expectant Pause Wait 10 seconds. Look at the student and the device with interest. 2 Indirect Verbal "I wonder where we can find characters?" 3 Direct Verbal "Look in the People folder." 4 Gestural Prompt Point to the "People" or "Places" category button without touching.
Customization Protocol
If a student wants a character not currently in their device (e.g., "Spider-Man", "My Cousin Leo"), use this as a learning moment:
Ask: "Is that word in your device yet? Let's check."
Model: "I can't find it. I need to REQUEST a new word."
Action: Program the word together with the student (if appropriate) or add it before the next lesson.
Sequence Step Slides Step by Step Navigation
A story is like a recipe! We need to tell people what happens first, next, and finally.
1
First
2
Next
3
Finally
Why Sequence Matters
"Imagine making a sandwich..."
First...
Eat the sandwich?
❌
First...
Get the bread.
✅
Then...
Add jelly.
❓
Navigator Skill: Time Words
Common Paths:
First
Next
Finally
The Washing Hands Challenge
Let's sequence this together on our devices:
FIRST: Get hands wet.
NEXT: Use soap.
FINALLY: Dry with towel.
Step by Step Sorting Activity The Story Recipe
Lesson 2: Sequencing Skills
Chef/Author:
Word Hunt: Can you find these on your device?
FIRST
Found It!
NEXT
Found It!
FINALLY
Found It!
Practice: Brushing Teeth
Match the transition words to the correct step by writing or drawing in the boxes below.
First
Put toothpaste on brush...
Next
Scrub your teeth...
Finally
Rinse with water!
My Story Draft
Tell your teacher what happens FIRST in your story.
Action Packed Slides Action Hero Drafting
Your hero is ready. Your place is set. Now... what happens?
The Middle Matters
The Action is the most exciting part of the story!
Does your hero fly? Jump? Dance? Cry? Shout?
Navigator Skill: Actions
How to find "Do" words:
1
Find the Actions folder.
2
Look for green buttons or a 'Stick Figure' icon.
3
Use More to see fancy words!
Walk
Sprint
Eat
Devour
Which one is more exciting?
Let's Write!
1
Pick 3 main actions your character does.
2
Find them in the Action folder.
3
Press the button and share it with a friend!
Plot Pusher Worksheet Plot Pusher Draft
Lesson 3: Drafting the Action
Lead Writer:
Every great story has ACTION ! Find three verbs on your device to show what your hero does in the middle of your story.
1
First Action
Sketch action here
The Verb:
Found in: Actions > _________
2
Next Action
Sketch action here
The Verb:
Found in: Actions > _________
3
Final Action
Sketch action here
The Verb:
Found in: Actions > _________
The Sentence I Built:
Use your device to say the whole sentence...
Mood Maker Slides The Feeling Finder
How does your hero feel about their adventure? Let's add heart to our story.
Painting with Words
Just Facts
"The dog ran home."
Okay...
Better Story
"The scared dog ran home."
Better!
Navigator Skill: Feelings
Where are they?
Describe > Feelings
Describe > Adjectives
Happy Nervous Excited Mad
"My character felt..."
Feeling Word Hunt!
Find a feeling word that starts with the same letter as your name!
?
Your Word
Share!
Feeling Finder Cards Feeling Finder Flashcards
Lesson 4: Feelings & Adjectives
Student Copy
Practice finding these feelings on your device. Cut these cards out or use them as a guide to add more "heart" to your story draft.
Path: Describe > Feelings
HAPPY
"My hero was happy because..."
Path: Describe > Feelings
SAD
"It was a sad day when..."
Path: Describe > Feelings
ANGRY
"The dragon was very angry..."
Path: Describe > Feelings
EXCITED
"I felt excited to see..."
My Story's Secret Feeling
Draw the feeling face here
Feeling Word:
Navigation Path:
Spotlight Ready Slides Showtime!
"You have a story to tell. The world is ready to listen."
Presenting with Pride
Volume Control
Too Quiet
Just Right
Check your device settings!
Too Loud
The Art of the Pause
"Press the button...
Press
Wait
Look Up
Final Check!
Story is loaded on my device.
Volume is loud enough for the class.
I am ready to smile at the end!
Presentation Prep Checklist Author's Spotlight Checklist
Lesson 5: Final Presentation
Showtime
Device Preparation
I can find my Hero and Home.
Folders: People & Places
I have my First, Next, and Finally words.
Folders: Time / Categories
I have my action and feeling words ready.
Folders: Actions & Describe
Stage Presence
My volume is loud enough.
Check
I will pause after each part.
Check
My Opening Line
"Hello, my name is __________ and this is my story..."
Narrative Navigator Rubric Assessment Rubric
Narrative Navigator Mastery
Evaluating AAC navigation efficiency, narrative structure, and communicative competence during the final presentation.
Skill Area Mastery (3) Developing (2) Emerging (1) Navigation Efficiency
Locating People, Places, Actions folders.
|
Locates all target folders independently and quickly (< 10s per word).
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Locates folders with 1-2 gestural or verbal prompts.
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Requires direct verbal or physical modeling to locate folders.
|
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Narrative Sequence
Usage of First, Next, Finally.
|
Uses 3+ transition words correctly to order events.
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Uses 1-2 transition words; sequence is mostly logical.
|
Transitions are missing; events are presented in isolation.
|
|
Vocabulary Variety
Usage of specific verbs/adjectives.
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Includes 2+ specific actions and 1+ feeling/descriptive word.
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Includes at least 1 action word and 1 character/place.
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Relies on generic labels (e.g., "dog", "go") without detail.
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Operational Control
Volume, Pacing, Audience focus.
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Adjusts volume for setting; pauses for message to finish; looks at audience.
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Maintains consistent volume; needs prompts to look at audience.
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Volume is inappropriate; clicks through messages without pausing.
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Teacher Comments
Total Mastery Score
/ 12
