Draw+a+picture+of+favorite+part+of+story+and+write+sentences+about+it

One great activity for children in first grade is to draw about a favorite part of a story. One reading skill that we talk about is the plot, characters and setting of a story. In the picture that they draw, they must include the main character/s/ and the setting of the story. I begin with stories that they already know, such as The Three Bears or Cinderella, etc. Then they may write a sentence about the picture, including the plot. They love to share their picture and sentence/s/ with the class. If first graders can begin mastering this skill at a young age, imagine how much easier middle and upper grade work will be!