Story Mountain Structure

Context

Unit: Narrative Adventures Unleashed (Lesson 4 of 12)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class: Primary 3 (Age 7-8)
Class size: 20 students
Curriculum: Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), Scotland

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the structure of a story using the Story Mountain framework.
• Identify and visualise the key parts of a narrative: beginning, build-up, climax, resolution, and ending.
• Create a simple story outline focusing on building tension and resolution.

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Learning Outcomes (CfE References)

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• ENG 1-19a: Identify the key features of a narrative story and order events logically using a story mountain.
• LIT 1-19a: Plan and organise ideas by structuring simple, coherent stories using visual frameworks.
• LIT 1-31a: Understand how to build tension in a story and resolve conflicts.
• Develop listening and talking skills by sharing story ideas and receiving feedback (LIT 1-09a).

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Success Criteria

• I can name the five parts of the Story Mountain.
• I can explain what happens in each part of the story.
• I can use the Story Mountain to plan my own story.
• I can include a simple build-up and resolution in my story outline.

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Resources

• Large illustrated Story Mountain poster with clear labels and pictures.
• Printed blank Story Mountain templates (dyslexia-friendly: coloured backgrounds, clear font such as Arial or Comic Sans, use icons).
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Example story (short, simple, familiar narrative).
• Story cubes or small props for story inspiration.
• Sticky notes or story cards.

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Lesson Activities

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the class and briefly recap previous lessons on narrative elements.
• Show the Story Mountain poster. Ask: “What do you notice about the shape? What might each part mean?”
• Explicitly name the five parts: Beginning, Build-up, Climax, Resolution, Ending.
• Explain the purpose: “The Story Mountain helps us see how a story starts, gets exciting, and then finishes.”
• Use simple, relatable examples (“Imagine your favourite story...”).

Differentiation: Use clear visuals and concrete examples; pair verbal explanation with illustrative gestures and images for EAL and pupils with additional support needs.

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2. Guided Modelling (10 minutes)

• Read a very short story aloud (either teacher-made or a familiar fairy tale).
• Draw a large Story Mountain diagram on the board, mapping the story events together as a class.
• Pause at each part, ask: “What’s happening here? Is the story getting more exciting?”
• Emphasise the rising tension towards the climax and then how the resolution settles the story.

Differentiation: Provide printed dyslexia-friendly version of the story for pupils with reading difficulties. Use story cubes or props to physically demonstrate events for multi-sensory engagement.

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3. Independent / Paired Activity (10 minutes)

• Distribute blank Story Mountain templates.
• Ask pupils to think of their own simple story idea (in pairs or small groups if preferred).
• Pupils write or draw key events that fit into each part of the mountain.
• Circulate and support learners, prompting with questions: “What happens at the beginning? How do you make it more exciting before the climax?”

Extension for Advanced Learners: Invite to add detailed emotions or describe characters’ thoughts at the build-up and resolution stages.

Differentiation: Allow pupils who find writing difficult to draw pictures or use word banks/sticky notes with vocabulary starters.

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4. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite 2-3 volunteers to share their Story Mountain outlines.
• Encourage positive feedback from peers focused on the structure and ideas.
• Recap key learning points, reinforcing how the Story Mountain helps organise story ideas.
• Ask reflective questions: “What made your story exciting? How did you end it well?”

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through classroom questioning and observation during group work.
• Review pupils’ Story Mountain templates for understanding of story structure and key elements.
• Check success criteria met individually or in small groups.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual aids and multi-sensory props to engage different learning styles.
• Verbal and written story options for pupils with literacy challenges.
• Use of dyslexia-friendly colours, fonts, and layout.
• Pair work and supported talk for those who benefit from peer interaction.
• Challenge advanced learners by encouraging richer language and more complex narrative elements.

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Extension Activities

• Pupils create full short stories based on their Story Mountain outlines for homework or next lesson.
• Use digital storytelling apps to transform their story outline into audio-visual presentations.
• Create a class Story Mountain wall display with illustrated stories from the children to reinforce learning over the next weeks.

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Additional Notes

• Emphasise enjoyment of storytelling and creativity alongside structure.
• Encourage pupils to think of stories from their own experiences or imaginations to personalise learning.
• Use positive language that fosters confidence in narrative skills.

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This lesson plan draws carefully on the Curriculum for Excellence’s emphasis on storytelling and creative writing, with appropriate pacing and supports for Primary 3 pupils to begin mastering narrative structure efficiently and enjoyably.