Lesson Plan
Story Map Plan
Students will create a timeline of three personal life events and describe how each shaped their perspective, then share reflections to deepen self-awareness.
This lesson builds critical self-reflection and narrative skills by helping students connect experiences to identity and practice empathetic listening.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on timeline creation paired with guided reflection
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
- Print one Timeline Graphic Worksheet per student
- Print one Reflection Journal Page per student
- Queue up the Past to Present Slides for display
- Review the My Story Map Script to familiarize with key prompts
Step 1
Introduction & Brainstorm
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Past to Present Slides
- Explain pivotal life events and perspective
- Ask students to brainstorm three personal significant events
- Record student ideas on the board as examples
Step 2
Modeling the Timeline
5 minutes
- Use slides to model a timeline example on the board
- Choose three sample events and explain how each shaped perspective using the My Story Map Script
- Highlight clear connections between events and personal growth
Step 3
Student Timeline Creation
12 minutes
- Distribute the Timeline Graphic Worksheet
- Instruct students to plot their three events with brief impact descriptions
- Circulate to support and prompt deeper reflection
Step 4
Pair-Share & Reflection
8 minutes
- Pair students to share their timelines and discuss perspectives
- Provide the Reflection Journal Page to note partner insights
- Invite a few volunteers to share one reflection with the class
Slide Deck
Welcome to My Story Map
In this lesson, you will:
• Learn what makes a moment pivotal
• See an example timeline
• Create your own timeline of three life events
• Reflect on how each event shaped your perspective
Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that we’ll explore life events and how they shape who we are.
What Are Pivotal Moments?
A pivotal moment is an event that changed how you think, feel,
or act.
Examples:
• Moving to a new home
• Learning a new skill
• Making a new friend
Define pivotal moments in simple terms. Engage students by asking if they can think of any moments already.
Why Perspective Matters
Your perspective is how you see the world.
Pivotal moments shape:
• Your beliefs and values
• Your interests and goals
• How you relate to others
Explain perspective and how events influence it. Use a personal example or fiction story to illustrate.
Example Timeline
- Age 5: Learned to ride a bike
– Felt proud and gained confidence - Age 8: Joined school play
– Discovered a love for performing - Age 10: Volunteered at animal shelter
– Became passionate about caring for animals
Walk through the sample timeline. Emphasize connections between each event and personal growth.
Timeline Template Overview
On your worksheet, you will:
• Plot three personal events in order
• Write a brief note on how each event changed you
• Use drawings or words to illustrate
Introduce the timeline worksheet. Show where to write events and reflections.
Your Turn: Brainstorm Events
Think about three times you:
• Felt proud of yourself
• Learned something new
• Faced a challenge
Write each event on your worksheet timeline
Prompt students to begin brainstorming. Circulate and offer examples.
Share & Reflect
- Pair up with a classmate
- Take turns explaining your timeline and impact
- Use your journal page to note one insight from your partner
- Be ready to share one reflection with the class
Explain pair-share and reflection process. Encourage active listening.
Worksheet
Timeline Graphic Worksheet
In this worksheet, you will plot three pivotal events in your life, describe what happened, draw a symbol or image, and reflect on how each event shaped your perspective.
Event 1
When did this happen (age or date)?
What happened?
Draw or symbolize the event here:
How did this event shape your perspective?
Event 2
When did this happen (age or date)?
What happened?
Draw or symbolize the event here:
How did this event shape your perspective?
Event 3
When did this happen (age or date)?
What happened?
Draw or symbolize the event here:
How did this event shape your perspective?
Journal
Reflection Journal Page
1. Partner Insight
What did your partner share that you found most interesting or surprising? Why did this stand out to you?
2. Personal Takeaway
Which of your own life events on the timeline do you think had the biggest impact on how you see the world now? Describe how your perspective has changed because of this event.
3. Future Connections
How might you use what you’ve learned about yourself to face a new challenge or set a future goal? Be specific about one action you could take.
4. Creative Expression
Draw a symbol, write a short poem, or sketch an image that represents your overall takeaway from today’s activity.
Script
My Story Map Teacher Script
Introduction & Brainstorm (5 minutes)
Teacher: “Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going to explore important moments in our lives—called pivotal moments—and see how they shape the way we view the world.
Teacher: “First, let’s look at our Past to Present Slides.”
Display Slide 1 – “Welcome to My Story Map”
Teacher: “This slide shows what we’ll do today: learn what makes a moment pivotal, see an example timeline, create your own timeline of three events, and reflect on how each one changed you.”
Teacher: “Next, let’s think about what a pivotal moment is.”
Display Slide 2 – “What Are Pivotal Moments?”
Teacher: “A pivotal moment is an event that changes how you think, feel, or act. Can anyone tell me one example of a big event in your life?”
Wait for responses; record ideas on the board (e.g., moving, making a new friend).
Teacher (follow-up): “Great examples! When you moved to a new house, how did that change how you felt at school or at home?”
Invite 1–2 students to share.
Teacher: “Now it’s your turn. Think of three times you felt proud, learned something new, or faced a challenge. Whisper one idea to your neighbor.”
Allow 30 seconds for partner share; record a few more examples on the board for reference.
Modeling the Timeline (5 minutes)
Teacher: “Let’s see a sample timeline together.”
Display Slide 4 – “Example Timeline”
Teacher: “Here are three sample events:
- Age 5: Learned to ride a bike—this made me feel proud and confident.
- Age 8: Joined the school play—I discovered I loved performing.
- Age 10: Volunteered at an animal shelter—I became passionate about caring for animals.”
Teacher: “How did learning to ride a bike change my perspective? Anyone?”
Allow responses (e.g., “You felt braver,” “You wanted to try more challenges”).
Teacher (prompt): “And joining the play—what belief or value might that have influenced?”
Gently guide students to see connections (confidence, creativity, empathy).
Teacher: “Notice how each event includes:
• When it happened
• What happened
• How it changed me
You’ll do the same on your worksheet.”
Student Timeline Creation (12 minutes)
Teacher: “Now it’s your turn! I’m passing out the Timeline Graphic Worksheet.”
Distribute worksheets.
Teacher: “On your worksheet, plot three personal events in order. For each event, write the age or date, describe what happened, draw a symbol if you like, and explain how it shaped your perspective.”
Teacher: “You have 10 minutes. If you finish early, add details or pictures that show why that moment mattered. I’ll walk around to help and ask questions to dig deeper.”
Circulate and use prompts such as:
– “Tell me more about why you chose this event.”
– “How did you feel right after this happened?”
– “What did you believe or value differently because of it?”
Teacher (after 10 minutes): “Wrap up your last event and set your pencil down. We’ll move to sharing soon.”
Pair-Share & Reflection (8 minutes)
Teacher: “Let’s team up! Find a partner and grab your Reflection Journal Page.”
Distribute journals if needed.
Teacher: “First, take turns explaining your timeline and describing how each event changed you. As you listen, write one insight under Partner Insight: what surprised you or stood out.”
Teacher: “After you both finish, under Personal Takeaway, pick the event that had the biggest impact on you and describe how your perspective changed. Then, under Future Connections, write one action you might take to use what you’ve learned about yourself.”
Teacher: “You have 5 minutes total. I’ll give you a 2-minute warning. Ready? Go!”
Circulate and ensure each student speaks and listens.
After 5 minutes:
Teacher: “Okay, everyone stop. Let’s hear from two volunteers. Please share one insight you wrote about your partner.”
Invite volunteers; applaud each share.
Teacher: “In conclusion, today you mapped moments that shaped your perspective—and learned more about yourselves and each other. Well done! For homework (or next class), think about one way you can use today’s insight to set a new goal.”
Teacher: “Great work today—thanks for sharing your stories!”