Brave Story Sharing Guidelines

Sharing with Kindness

• Use an inside voice and speak clearly.
• Listen respectfully: one speaker at a time, eyes on the speaker.
• Speak from the heart: use I-statements (e.g., “I felt proud when…”).
• Offer supportive feedback: “I liked how your character…” or “I wonder what happened next…”.
• Remember: it’s okay to pass—share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Discussion Prompts

1. Feelings Timeline: How did your character feel at the start, during the problem, and at the end?
2. Safe Place Choice: Why did you choose that safe place? How does it help your character feel calm?
3. Brave Moment: What made your character feel brave when solving the problem?
4. Solution Reflections: If you were in your character’s shoes, would you solve it the same way? Why or why not?
5. Connecting to You: Have you ever felt like your character? What did you do to feel better?

Follow-Up Discussion Points

• Relating Stories to Real Life: How can talking about feelings help us when we’re scared or worried?
• Empathy Building: What did you learn about your classmates’ feelings and ideas?
• Taking Action: If someone in our class feels like your character felt, what could we do to help?

Teacher Tip: Encourage students to validate each other’s experiences by saying things like “I understand,” “That sounds brave,” or “Thank you for sharing.” Ensure everyone knows this is a safe space for all feelings and ideas.

Advanced Story Builder Worksheet

Use this worksheet to plan and write your full story. Write in complete sentences, include sensory details, dialogue, and show your character’s emotions.

Story Title

1. Exposition (Who & Where?)

Introduce your main character and setting. Show how the world looks, sounds, and feels.
Write 3–5 sentences:

2. Rising Action (What Conflict?)

Describe the event or problem that challenges your character. What stakes are at risk?
Write 3–5 sentences:

3. Climax (Turning Point)

Show the moment of highest tension. How does your character respond emotionally?
Write 3–5 sentences:

4. Resolution (Empowerment & Reflection)

Explain how the conflict is resolved and how your character feels afterward.
Write 3–5 sentences:

5. Emotional Reflection

Reflect on your character’s journey. How do their feelings change from start to finish? What did you learn from writing this story?
Write 2–3 sentences:

Tip: Reread each section and add sensory details (sights, sounds, smells) or dialogue to bring your story to life. When finished, share your draft with a peer and use feedback to strengthen your narrative!

Peer Review Feedback Cards

Use these cards when giving feedback to a partner. Read each prompt and respond with kindness and respect. Remember: all feedback is about the writing, not the writer.

Card 1: Highlight a Strength
“I really liked how your character….”
Examples:

• “I really liked how your character found courage.”
• “I really liked your description of the safe place.”

Card 2: Ask a Clarifying Question
“I’m curious about….”
Examples:

• “I’m curious about why the character felt scared at the beginning?”
• “I’m curious about how the character discovered their safe place?”

Card 3: Offer a Supportive Suggestion
“One idea to make it even stronger is….”
Examples:

• “One idea to make it even stronger is to add a sensory detail about the wind.”
• “One idea to make it even stronger is to show how the character’s feeling changed at the end.”

Teacher Tip: Encourage students to use I-statements, keep feedback positive, and remind everyone this is a safe space for sharing.

Story Builder Card Game

Objective: Help students plan and tell a simple story by combining random story elements in a playful, scaffolded way.

Materials:

• A shuffled deck of Setting Cards
• A shuffled deck of Character Cards
• A shuffled deck of Conflict Cards
• A shuffled deck of Resolution Cards
• Blank paper or a simple three-box story template per student
• Pencils or crayons

Setup (5 minutes)

1. Arrange students in small groups of 3–4.
2. Place each deck face-down at the center of the group.
3. Give each student one sheet of paper (or the three-box template).

How to Play (15 minutes)

1. Draw Cards: Each group takes turns drawing one card from each deck: setting, character, conflict, and resolution.
2. Discuss & Plan: Together, students talk about how these four elements fit:
   • Where does the story happen?
   • Who is in the story?
   • What problem do they face?
   • How do they solve it and feel afterward?
3. Story Sketch: On their paper or template, students draw or write three parts:
   • Beginning: Introduce setting & character
     
     
     
   • Middle: Show the problem or challenge
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • End: Show the solution and how the character feels
     
     
     
4. Share in Groups: After sketching, each student (or group representative) reads their story aloud using a kind, inside voice. Peers offer one “I liked…” comment from our Brave Story Sharing Guidelines.

Follow-Up Discussion (5 minutes)

1. Favorite Element: Which card surprised you, and how did you make it part of your story?
2. Feelings Check: How did your character feel at the start vs. the end?
3. Creative Twist: If you could change one card, what would it be and why?
4. Connection: Have you ever faced a small challenge like your character? What helped you feel brave?

Teacher Tip: Circulate to support groups, encourage use of feelings words, and remind students it’s okay to pass or draw new cards if they feel stuck.

Perspective Story Worksheet

This worksheet will guide you to write a short story about a challenge or negative thought and then reframe it with a healthier perspective. Remember: you only share what you’re comfortable with, and this is a safe, respectful space for all feelings.

1. Story Title

Give your story a title that reflects its theme or main feeling.

2. Describe the Problem or Negative Thought

What challenge, worry, or negative thought does your character face? Be specific.
Write 1–2 sentences:

3. Write Your Short Story

In 3–5 sentences, tell the story of how your character experiences this problem or thought. Include how it affects their feelings and actions.

4. Reframe with a New Perspective

Now imagine looking at this situation from a different angle. How might your character see opportunities, strengths, or support they didn’t notice before?
Write 2–3 sentences:

5. Emotional Reflection

How do you feel after finding this new perspective? What did you learn about your character (or yourself) through this process?
Write 2–3 sentences:

Tip: If you find this exercise challenging, remember you can talk with a trusted adult or peer. You don’t have to face hard thoughts alone—you are not your thoughts, and you are not alone.