Mini Flap Charts is a method for students to demonstrate their understanding of story structure, to practice summarizing story events, and to provide visual examples for text. I originally utilized this activity for novels and books my students were reading in Language Arts class; however, this past year I was also teaching Science and used the idea for content area concepts.

Directions:

1. Take a sheet of unlined 8.5" by 11" paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the paper in half in the opposite directions.
3. Repeat step 2.
4. Unfold the paper. There should be eight sections.
5. With scissors, cut the three fold lines on one side just to the center lengthwise fold. You will have four sections that form flaps.
6. Close the flaps and place the fold so that it is at the top.
7. On the first flap, print or write the word "beginning" (for younger students) or "introduction" (for older students).
8. On the second flap, print or write the word "middle" or "development," depending on the development of your students.
9. On the third flap, print or write the word "end" or "conclusion."
10. On the fourth flap, print or write the word(s) "favorite scene" or "opinion."
11. Open the first flap and on the lower portion, write a sentence or two that describes the events at the beginning of the story.
12. Open the second flap and on the lower portion, write a sentence or two that describes the events in the middle of the story.
13. Open the third flap and on the lower portion, write a sentence or two that describes the events at the end of the story.
14. Open the fourth flap and on the lower portion, write a sentence or two that tells their opinion of or favorite scene from the story.
15. On the upper inside portion of the first flap, draw an illustration to represent the beginning of the story.
16. On the upper inside portion of the second flap, draw an illustration to represent the middle of the story.
17. On the inside upper portion of the third flap, draw an illustration to represent the end of the story.
18. On the inside upper portion of the fourth flap, draw an illustration to represent their favorite scene from or opinion of the story.
19. Attach an index card to the back of the uncut side so that half of the card is showing. Write the title and author of the story on this card.
20. Your Mini Flap Chart is completed and ready to display for all to enjoy.

Variations: