The Missing Sandwich

Standard:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5 — Describe the overall structure of a story, including how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

Introduction:

  • Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the characters and setting, the middle shows the problem, and the end tells how the problem is solved.

Text:

  • Leo made his favorite sandwich and set it on the kitchen table.
    Then he ran to get a drink. When he came back, the sandwich was gone!
    He looked under the table, checked the counter, and even asked his sister.
    Finally, Leo found the sandwich outside — his dog Max was finishing the last bite!

Step-by-Step:

  1. Read the story aloud together.

  2. Ask students:

    • What happened at the beginning?

    • What was the problem in the middle?

    • How was it solved at the end?

  3. Write or draw the three parts of the story in order.

Activity Idea:

  • Create their own “3-Part Story Map” with boxes labeled Beginning, Middle, and End.
    Inside each box, they draw or write what happens in that part.

Tip: Every story — even movies and games — has a structure! When you can find the beginning, middle, and end, you understand stories like a real author.

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