Story Chains is a fun and motivating way for students to demonstrate they have acquired the ability to retell a story, to sequence the actions in a story, or to summarize the plot of a story. I have used this activity with my fifth- and sixth-grade students who have read both fiction and nonfiction selections and with my eighth-grade Science students who have read textbook material. It could easily be adapted for any grade level and any content area. In addition, it is an activity that works well as a co-operative group activity or as an individual assignment.

Directions:

1. Assign a story, novel, or text selection for students to read.
2. Prepare numerous 1" by 8 1/2" white (or pastel-colored) paper strips.
3. Distribute 11 strips to each student or co-operative group of students.
4. On one strip, ask students to write the title and author of the selection. If it is a selection from a textbook, have them write the chapter title, page numbers, or any pertinent identification information.
5. On each of the remaining ten strips, the students should write a sentence or two detailing important events or main ideas from the reading selection. Remind them to include events from the beginning, the middle, and the end of the selection. The chosen events should summarize the selction.
6. I also require the students to include various visual symbols that support the information on each strip.
7. When all the strips are completed, the students are to staple or glue them in an interlocking chain, similar to holiday paper chains.
8. Ask the students to share their chains with the class.
9. Use the chains to decorate a bulletin board or hang them in the hallway for all the students in your building to enjoy.

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