Tale Trail Slides Tale Trail Slides
Part 1: Starting at the Beginning
1
2
3
The Front Door
Every story has a front door.
Listen closely...
What is the Beginning?
Who?
Meet the characters!
Where?
See the setting!
Quiet Ears On!
Let's listen to the first few pages.
Listen for: Names and Places
Who did we meet?
Picture of Character 1
Picture of Character 2
Where were they in the beginning?
Who and Where Worksheet Who and Where Worksheet
The Start of the Story!
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Draw what you heard!
Listen to the beginning of the story and fill in the boxes.
Who did you see first?
(Draw a character from the beginning)
Where were they?
(Draw the setting from the beginning)
You are a Story Detective!
Beginning Seekers Teacher Guide Teacher Guide Lesson 1: Starting at the Beginning
Beginning Seekers Guide
Key Objectives
• Identify characters introduced early.
• Recognize setting details.
• Define "Beginning" as the "front door" of a story.
The Hook Script
"Friends, did you know that books have front doors? Not real ones made of wood, but words and pictures that let us inside! Today, we're going to open the front door and see who is waiting for us. Keep your 'Story Ears' open for names and your 'Story Eyes' ready for where they live!"
Instructional Pathway
1
Setting the Stage (5 mins)
Use the Tale Trail Slides to introduce the "Front Door" metaphor. Ask: "What do you do when you go to a friend's house?" (You knock/open the door). Explain that the beginning is where we meet our new book friends.
2
Active Listen (10 mins)
Start a read-along story. Pause after page 2.
3
Visual Capture (15 mins)
Distribute the Who and Where Worksheet. Encourage students to draw the character they found "behind the door" and where they were. Circulate and label their drawings (e.g., "Bear," "Woods").
Support
Provide pre-cut character silhouettes or stickers for students who struggle with drawing.
Extend
Ask: "What do you think the character wants to do next?" to hint at the "Middle."
Middle Muddle Slides Middle Muddle
Part 2: The Middle and the Problem
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2
3
UH OH!
Something went wrong for the puppy!
The Middle is the Adventure!
Moving!
The characters are doing things.
Oops!
A problem happens!
Listen for the Trouble
Lost in rain?
Hungry tummy?
Feeling scared?
When you hear it, signal!
Problem Detective Cards All Good!
Beginning / Happy
UH OH!
Middle / Problem
Spying!
Middle / Action
I Know!
End / Solving
Teacher Note:
Cut these cards out and glue them onto popsicle sticks. Give one set to each student or use as large classroom signals during the story read-along!
Plot Point Checklist Plot Point Checklist
Teacher Observation Tool • Lesson 2
Class: ____________________
Date: _____________________
SKILL A: Identification
Student can identify when a problem occurs in the middle of a story using visual/auditory signals.
SKILL B: Explanation
Student can briefly explain *why* the character is having trouble (with prompting).
Student Name Identified Problem? Used Signals? Notes / Quotes 1. ______________________
| "The dog is sad because..." |
| 2. ______________________ |
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| 3. ______________________ |
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| 4. ______________________ |
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| 5. ______________________ |
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| 6. ______________________ |
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Instructional Adjustments
Which students needed more support recognizing the "middle" shift?
Ending Echoes Slides Ending Echoes
Part 3: How Does it End?
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2
3
How do we know?
Let's listen for the "The End" sound.
Slow down... take a breath...
What happens at the End?
Solved!
The character feels better.
Slow Down
The voice and music change.
The "The End" Signal
Does the music stop?
Does the narrator say "The End"?
Is the character happy again?
YES! That is the End!
The End Ear Exit Ticket The End Ear
How did it finish?
My Name: _________________
1 How did the character feel at the end?
Sad
Happy
Scared
2 Draw the very last thing you saw!
Pre-K ELA • Reading Comprehension • Sequence Exit Ticket
Resolution Roundup Teacher Notes Teacher Resource Lesson 3
Resolution Roundup
Auditory Cues
Music pitch deepens or slows down.
Narrator's voice becomes softer or more rhythmic.
Longer silences between sentences.
The "Ah-Ha!" Moment
Help students identify the Resolution. This is when the character uses the "Lightbulb" card from Lesson 2.
"The puppy found his way home! The rain stopped. He is safe now."
Post-Story Discussion
Question 1: Mood Shift
"Listen to the music at the end. Does it sound like 'Oh No!' or 'Yay!' music?"
Question 2: Solving the Muddle
"Remember our 'Middle Muddle'? How did the characters fix the problem? What did they do last?"
Question 3: Closing the Door
"If the beginning is the front door, what is the end? (The back door, the gate, a warm bed). How do we know we are finished?"
Audio Tip
If using a read-along app, highlight the "The End" button or icon. Let students take turns pressing the "Replay" button to hear how the music changes one more time.
Sequencing Station Slides Sequencing Puzzle
Part 4: Putting it all in order!
Oh No!
The story pictures got MIXED UP!
First, Next, Last
1
Beginning
2
Middle
3
End
Puzzle Team Mission
1. Listen to the audio book.
2. Find the picture that happens First.
3. Work together to finish the trail!
Puzzle Pieces Activity Mixed Up Mystery Cards
Cut these out for students to use in their sequencing puzzles! (Set 1: Generic Story)
1
BEGINNING
Who? Where?
Glue Story Image 1 Here
2
MIDDLE
Oops! A Problem!
Glue Story Image 2 Here
3
END
All Better!
Glue Story Image 3 Here
Pre-K ELA • Sequencing Station Activity Cards
Group Growth Checklist Group Growth Checklist
Collaborative Sequencing Assessment • Lesson 4
Group 1: _____________________
Beginning Middle End
Teamwork Notes
Sharing cards? Listening to audio cues?
Sequencing Accuracy
Self-corrected? Correct on first try?
Group 2: _____________________
Beginning Middle End
Teamwork Notes
Sequencing Accuracy
Group 3: _____________________
Beginning Middle End
Teamwork Notes
Sequencing Accuracy
Mastery Check
Observe if students use the transition words "First," "Next," or "Last" during their small group discussion. This leads into Lesson 5!
Master Storyteller Slides Master Storyteller
Part 5: Retelling the Tale
Your Turn!
Now YOU are the narrator!
Storytelling Power Words
FIRST
The Beginning
THEN
The Middle
LAST
The End
Point and Speak!
Hold your pictures. Point to the beginning first. Then tell what happens next.
Let's Begin!
Story Star Crown Story Star Crown
I am a Master Narrator!
Story Star
Name: ______________________
First
Next
Last
Cut here for the crown band -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut here for the crown band -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions
1. Color your crown. 2. Cut out the crown and the long strips. 3. Tape the strips to the sides to fit your head. 4. Wear it while you retell your story!
Retelling Rubric Retelling Rubric
Mastery Assessment • Lesson 5
Skill Area 1 - Growing 2 - Storyteller 3 - Master Narrator Ordering Events Arranges pictures with significant adult help. Arranges pictures in B-M-E order mostly on their own. Independently sequences 3 pictures correctly and quickly. Oral Retelling Describes pictures but does not link them as a story. Retells the main idea of the story using pictures as a guide. Tells a clear story with a beginning, middle problem, and end. Transition Words No use of "First, Then, Last." Uses at least one power word (e.g., "Then..."). Uses "First," "Then," and "Last" correctly during retelling.
Student: ____________________________
Score: ____ / 9
Observation Notes:
Tale Trails
Sequencing Mastery
Pre-K ELA
