Story Graphic Organizer Blank Templates for 1st & 2nd Grades

Help your young readers master story mapping with the help of these templates!

Building strong comprehension skills in 1st and 2nd grade is all about providing the right scaffolding. I created these Story Graphic Organizer Templates to help your students transition from simply listening to a story to actively analyzing its structure. By providing clear, visual frameworks, this resource will empower students to organize their thoughts and retell stories with confidence and clarity. From formal book reports to interactive projects, these templates turn reading response into an engaging and successful experience for every child.

What’s inside?

This collection offers a variety of layouts to meet your students exactly where they are in their writing journey:

• Character, Setting, Problem & Solution: Available in ruled lines for practicing penmanship or unruled spaces for students who express their understanding through drawing.

• The "Map a Story" Template: A comprehensive overview to help students visualize the narrative arc.

• Storybook Report Template: A polished way for students to showcase what they’ve learned from a favorite book.

• Retell & Illustrate: A dual-purpose layout that strengthens both writing and fine motor skills.

• The Foldable Mini-Booklet: An interactive favorite! This hands-on project focuses on the essential sequencing skills of First, Next, Then, and Last.

Note for Teachers: Every template is provided in both full color and grayscale, giving you the flexibility to print high-impact visuals or save on ink for daily classroom use.

Why educators and parents love this resource

• It supports all learners: The clear visual cues are excellent for ESL/ELL students and reading intervention groups who need extra structure.

• Universal design: Because these templates are open-ended, they can be paired with any picture book, chapter book, or any short story in your curriculum.

• This resource encourages independence: The student-friendly layouts help children feel successful working independently during literacy centers or at home.

• It also saves planning time: With a variety of formats in one download, you’ll have the perfect response activity ready for any lesson throughout the school year.

Usage ideas:

• Literacy Centers: Use the foldable mini-books as a creative station for students to complete after independent reading.

• Guided Reading: Use the "Problem & Solution" templates to facilitate deeper discussions during small-group instruction.

• Writing Workshop: These organizers serve as the perfect "brainstorming" phase for students when they begin drafting their own original stories.