Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Once upon a time, there was a curious little girl named Goldilocks. One sunny morning, she went for a walk in the forest. As she wandered along the mossy path, she stumbled upon a cozy little house with smoke curling from its chimney.

Goldilocks knocked lightly on the door. When no one answered, she gently pushed it open and peered inside. The house belonged to three bears: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. On the table were three bowls of porridge cooling in the sunlight.

Paragraph 1:
Goldilocks tasted the porridge in the largest bowl. “Ouch! This porridge is too hot,” she exclaimed. Next, she tried the medium bowl. “This is too cold,” she said after a spoonful. Finally, she tasted the smallest bowl and smiled. “Just right!” she said as she ate it all up.

Paragraph 2:
After finishing the porridge, Goldilocks felt tired and decided to sit down. She tried the big chair made for Papa Bear, but it was too hard. She tried the medium chair for Mama Bear, but it was too soft. Then she sat in Baby Bear’s tiny chair. “Ahh, this is just right,” she sighed—until crack! the chair broke into pieces under her.

Paragraph 3:
Feeling sleepy, Goldilocks went upstairs and saw three beds. She lay down on Papa Bear’s bed first, which was too firm. Then she drowsily tried Mama Bear’s bed, which was too soft. Finally, she curled up in Baby Bear’s little bed. “Perfect,” she whispered and fell fast asleep.

Paragraph 4:
Before long, the three bears came home. Papa Bear grumbled, “Someone’s been eating my porridge!” Mama Bear said, “Someone’s been eating mine, too!” and Baby Bear cried, “Someone’s eaten all of my porridge and there’s nothing left!”

They went into the living room and saw the broken chair. Then they tiptoed upstairs. “Someone’s been sleeping in my bed,” said Papa Bear. “Someone’s been sleeping in my bed,” said Mama Bear. “Someone’s been sleeping in my bed—and here she is!” cried Baby Bear.

Goldilocks woke up with a start and saw the three bears. She jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs, out the door, and never returned to the bears’ house again.

Read this story carefully, and look for the characters, setting, problem, events, and resolution. As you become a Story Detective, use these clues to help retell the tale in your own words!

Story Elements Anchor Chart

Use this chart to help you spot the clues you need to retell a story accurately.

Characters
• Who is the story about?
• Look for names, descriptions, feelings

Setting
• When and where does the story take place?
• Look for time words (once upon a time, morning) and place details (forest, house)

Problem
• What challenge or goal does the main character face?
• Look for questions or conflicts (What’s wrong? What needs to be fixed?)

Events
• What big things happen to try to solve the problem?
• Look for actions, decisions, and turning points

Resolution
• How does the story end?
• Look for solutions, lessons learned, or how the problem is fixed

Keep this chart visible as you read and talk with your group to make your retelling clear and complete!

Detective Case File Template

Use this graphic organizer to collect clues and retell the story as a team. Refer to the Story Elements Anchor Chart and use your Story Detective Prompt Cards to guide your investigation.

Group Information

Group Name: _________________________

Roles (write each name):
• Reader: _________________________
• Scribe: _________________________
• Reporter: _________________________
• Timekeeper: _________________________

Characters

Who is the story about? List the main characters and a brief description of each.

1. _________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. _________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. _________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

Setting

When and where does the story take place? Describe the time and place details.

_____________________________________

Problem

What challenge or conflict does the main character face?

_____________________________________

Events

List three key events that move the story forward. Write them in the order they happen.

1. Event 1: ___________________________________
   
   
   
2. Event 2: ___________________________________
   
   
   
3. Event 3: ___________________________________
   
   
   

Resolution

How does the story end? Explain how the problem is solved or what lesson is learned.

_____________________________________

Retelling

Using the clues you gathered above, write a concise retelling of the story in your own words. Be sure to include characters, setting, problem, events, and resolution.

Story Detective Prompt Cards

Cut these cards apart and draw one at a time during your group discussion. Use each prompt to guide your evidence gathering and fill in your Detective Case File Template.

Characters

• Who is the main character? Describe them in two words.
  
  
  
• What is one feeling the main character has? Find a sentence that shows it.
  
  
  
• Are there any other important characters? How do they affect the story?
  
  
  

Setting

• Where does the story start? Describe the place in your own words.
  
  
  
• When does the story take place? What text details tell you the time?
  
  
  
• How does the setting create a problem or solution? Explain.
  
  
  

Problem

• What challenge does the main character face? State it clearly.
  
  
  
• Why is this challenge a problem? Describe why it matters.
  
  
  
• How does the character first react to the problem? Summarize.
  
  
  

Events

• What is the first big event? Explain what happens.
  
  
  
• What key decision does the character make next? How does that move the story?
  
  
  
• What is the turning point of the story? Describe the most exciting moment.
  
  
  

Resolution

• How is the problem finally solved? Write the solution.
  
  
  
• What happens at the very end? Summarize the closing action.
  
  
  
• What lesson or message did you learn? State it in one sentence.
  
  
  

Use these cards to spark detailed discussion. Take turns drawing a card and collaboratively filling in your template!