1. Picking the Plot Finding a story’s most important parts

2. A story has parts. These parts are the: A story has parts. These parts are the: 3

3. The most important events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story are called the story’s: plot.

4. Let’s practice! We will: 1. Read the passage. 2. Decide on the most important parts. 3. Add them to a graphic organizer.

5. One day, Hare and Tortoise decided to have a race. They agreed on the course they would follow and found someone to be the judge. Finally, the day came for the big race. Hare was off like a shot! In no time flat, he was out of sight. Slow and steady, Tortoise plodded along. After a while, Hare thought, “I’m sure Tortoise will never catch up to me. I believe I’ll stop for a short rest.” Soon, Hare awoke to hear the cheering of the crowd. He looked up to see Tortoise about to cross the finish line! Hare jumped up and made a wild dash for it. But it was too late. The slow and steady Tortoise had won the race!

6. Beginning Middle End Tortoise and Hare agree to have a race. Hare decides to stop for a short rest. Tortoise wins the race.

7. One day, a lion was awakened by a tiny mouse scurrying by. He slammed down his huge paw and caught the tiny mouse. “Oh, please let me go,” the mouse begged. The lion felt sorry for the tiny mouse and let him go. A few days later, the lion was caught in a hunter’s trap. His loud roars shook the jungle. The tiny mouse, heard the lion’s cries, rushed to the net, and used his sharp little teeth to gnaw the ropes until the lion was free.

8. Beginning Middle End A lion caught a mouse. The lion released the mouse. The mouse helped the lion break out of a trap.

9. A thirsty crow came across a pitcher of water. He put his beak into the pitcher. But the water was too deep for him to reach. “What can I do,” he asked himself. “I must get some water or I will die of thirst!” Suddenly, he had an idea. The crow began dropping pebbles into the pitcher. Each time he dropped a pebble, the water rose a little higher in the pitcher. Finally, the water reached the top of the pitcher. The crow was able to drink the water and save his life.

10. Beginning Middle End

11. One fall day, a grasshopper was sitting under a tree and enjoying his rest. An ant passed by carrying seeds back to her nest. “Why don’t you sit here and rest with me, little ant?” the grasshopper asked. “Oh, I can’t rest now,” said the ant. “If I do, I’ll have nothing to eat this winter.” “Why worry about winter?” asked the grasshopper. “We have plenty to eat now.” That winter, the ants had plenty to eat while the grasshopper starved.