EnglishFreePrintable

Short Story Planner

A free english worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Short Story Planner worksheet preview
Name:Date:

Short Story Planner

Create a short story set in an aquarium. Use the prompts to shape a clear sequence of events, then draft an opening. There is no single correct story—make your choices imaginative and consistent.

Build your story

A short story usually has characters in a setting, a problem, events that develop the problem, and a resolution. Plan how these parts will connect.

1.Who is the main character in your aquarium story? Give them a name and describe two features, such as their appearance or personality.
2.When and where in the aquarium does your story happen? Choose a specific time and place, such as feeding time beside the penguin pool.
3.What problem or challenge interrupts your character’s day at the aquarium?

Map the events

Plan events that lead from the opening to the resolution. Each event should move the story forward.

4.Opening: What is your character doing, and how will you introduce the aquarium setting?
5.First event: What happens that brings the problem to your character’s attention?
6.Next event: What makes the problem more difficult or raises the stakes?
7.Resolution: What does your character do, and how does the problem turn out?
8.Choose sensory details for your aquarium story: write one detail that could be seen, one that could be heard, and one that could be felt, smelled or tasted.
9.Select time connectives you could use to make your events easy to follow.
  • At first
  • A moment later
  • Meanwhile
  • Afterwards
  • Eventually

Draft and review

Use your plan to write an opening paragraph of about four to six sentences. Then check that your choices help the reader picture the story and follow its events.

10.Write the opening paragraph of your aquarium story. Introduce the main character and setting, and include at least one vivid detail.
11.Review your draft: note one part that is working well and one specific change that could make it clearer or more engaging.
Draw a scene that would help a reader picture your aquarium story.

3 printable pages

  • Short Story Planner, page 1 of 3: Build your story, Map the events

    Page 1

  • Short Story Planner, page 2 of 3: 5. First event: What happens that brings the problem to your character’s attention?

    Page 2

  • Short Story Planner, page 3 of 3: Draft and review

    Page 3

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Sign up free, grab the PDF, and customize it for your class.

Print-Ready

Formatted for standard paper. Clean layout, easy to read.

AI-Generated

Created with Kuraplan's AI, designed for real classroom use.

For Teachers & Parents

Use in classrooms, for homework, tutoring, or homeschool.

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

Kuraplan's AI generates custom worksheets in seconds — differentiated for every learner, aligned to your curriculum.

Generate Custom Worksheets — Free
No credit card Curriculum-aligned Under 60 seconds