The Problem and Solution - Common Core Organizer!

Here is a great form for Problem and Solution...If you are teaching young learners how to discuss and report the story elements of a story in detail, using our comprehension forms with interactive read alouds is a great way to start. We first do reading minilessons and study the Setting, Main Character, and then move onto the Problem and Solution. We have found greater success in teaching comprehension skills this way, rather than teaching them all at once with a story map. (We do story mapping next, but because of all the previous learning in the elements, we are able to go deeper with story mapping.) It builds independence and confidence in young readers. We first learn together as a whole group with an interactive read aloud. (We also revisit Mentor Texts!) Next, it is filtered down to small group instruction (where applicable, mostly students who are at about Level 14 DRA or G/H Guided Reading. Those who are 12 and below are focusing more on decoding and sight words with basic oral comprehension during small group instruction). Finally, it is used as an independent tool to track their thinking with their just right free choice books. It's a process that works. It also sets the stage for teaching reader's response. You are giving students a wealth of background knowledge in discussing the basic story elements in a given selection. This is all part of the Common Core. Rather than teaching a story, you are teaching skills and strategies to discuss the important events and parts of a story.

Our goal as teachers of reading is to teach students to read and think independently.

Let us know what you think! Respond to our thoughts. We'd love to start a dialogue with teachers out there! What do you do to teach the story elements?