PREVIEW: Prior

PREVIEW: Prior

Fictional reading strategies differ from Non-fictional reading strategies. Fiction text has a standard format to include Story Elements:

• Characters = the people, animals, & things participating in the story;

• Setting = the where and when of the story;

• Plot = the sequence of events in the story;

• Point of View = who is telling the story;

• Theme = the general message or main idea of the story.

For a detailed description of Story Elements, please see Story Elements Fiction.

PRIOR to reading a fictional story, have the child(ren) complete a preview or “Book Walk”. Fiction text is designed with story elements to help the reader follow a sequence of events. Investigate the following:

• titles & headings

• pictures

• photographs

• illustrations

• front & back covers

• table of contents

• bold or highlighted text

Predicting: After completing the preview or “Book Walk”, make a prediction using five main story elements as a foundation. Creating predictions guides the reader, keeping the reader engaged and interactive with the text. Predictions may alter and change as the reader reflects upon the text.

• Characters = who are the people, animals, & things participating in the story?

• Setting = where and when is the story taking place?

• Plot = what might be some events that occur in the story? Can you figure out the problem?

• Point of View = who is telling the story?

• Theme = what might be the general message or main idea of the story?