Somebody Wanted But So Then – 4-Chart Anchor Set

Students identify a story's main character, goal, central problem, attempted solution, and ending using the SWBST framework.

Students write a summary that includes character, setting, problem, events, and solution.

Students complete a blanked-out version of each chart from memory or class discussion, reinforcing the vocabulary introduced on the complete version.

Post the complete anchor chart pages first, then hand out the blank versions for students to fill in during guided practice or in an interactive notebook.

Use the Summarising chart's five elements (characters, setting, problem, events, solution) as a checklist students can apply to any story, not just one assigned text.

Pair the SWBST and Summarising charts together, since the file presents them as a two-part set covering the same skill from two angles.

Story-element identification — students locate the character, goal, problem, solution, and ending of a narrative using the SWBST structure.

Summary writing — students retell a story's main events using the five elements named on the Summarising chart.

Academic vocabulary — students learn and reuse the acronym SWBST and the term ‘summary’ across both chart pairs.