Picture sequencing is a great engaging activity to improve writing and vocabulary. In This post you can see a sample lesson plan to teach a picture sequencing story building activity. You can select picture sequences depending on the level of your class. You can download the sample picture sequence and vocabulary and sentence starters to fine-tune your lesson at the end of the post. Fox and the Crow (beginner), Cinderella (intermediate), Frozen (Upper -intermediate or Advanced)
This is a comprehensive lesson plan designed for a multi-level ESL classroom. It uses the picture sequences we listed (Cinderella, Frozen, or Fox and the Crow) as the core material.
The strategy here is "Same Stimulus, Different Task." All students use the same pictures, but the output requirements change based on their proficiency.
Lesson Plan: Picture Perfect Storytelling
Topic: Narrative Sequencing and Story Writing
Time: 60 Minutes
Target Audience: Mixed-Ability ESL (Beginner to Advanced)
Learning Objectives:
- All Levels: Can logically sequence a series of 6-8 images to tell a story.
- Beginner: Can write simple sentences using Subject + Verb + Object and basic adjectives.
- Intermediate: Can use transition words (First, Then, Next, Finally) and past tense verbs correctly.
- Advanced: Can include dialogue, complex emotions, and descriptive adverbs/adjectives.
- One set of picture sequences per group (cut up so they are loose).
- Large poster paper or A3 paper.
- Glue sticks and markers.
- Scaffolding handouts (see below).
1. Warm-Up: The "Human Comic Strip" (10 Mins)
- Activity: Call 3 students to the front. Whisper an action to them that forms a sequence (e.g., Student A: Wakes up, Student B: Brushes teeth, Student C: Runs to catch the bus).
- Action: Have them act it out in the wrong order.
- Class Task: The class must shout out the correct order.
- Concept Check: Write the words "First," "Next," "Then," and "Finally" on the board. Explain that stories need a specific order to make sense.
2. Vocabulary & Grammar Pre-teaching (10 Mins)
Display one image from the sequence (e.g., Cinderella crying).
- Brainstorming: Ask the class what they see.
- Accept all answers: "Sad" (Beginner), "Crying" (Intermediate), "Devastated" (Advanced).
- Grammar Primer: Remind students that because the story happened before, we usually use the Past Tense.
- Example: Run>Ran / See > Saw / Is > Was.
3. The Main Activity: Sequencing (15 Mins)
- Grouping: Divide students into mixed-ability groups (or same-ability groups depending on your preference; mixed is usually better for oral discussion).
- Task: Hand out the cut-up picture cards (e.g., the 8 Frozen images).
- Instruction: "Put the story in the correct order. You must agree as a group why this picture goes here."
- Teacher Role: Circulate and listen. Ask: "Why did you put this one first? What is happening here?"
4. Differentiated Writing Task (20 Mins)
Once the pictures are glued in order on the poster paper, hand out the Level-Specific Task Cards. This is where you address the different competencies.
Level A: The Builders (Beginners)
- Focus: Vocabulary and Simple Sentences.
- Task: Write one sentence under each picture.
- Scaffold provided:
- A word bank (e.g., Queen, Ice, Run, Sister).
- Sentence starters: She is... / She has... / They are...
- Example: "Elsa is sad. She runs away."
Level B: The Connectors (Intermediate)
- Focus: Linking words and Past Tense.
- Task: Write a paragraph connecting the pictures.
- Scaffold provided:
- Required transition list: First, Suddenly, Then, After that, finally.
- Must change verbs to past tense (run > ran).
- Example: "First, Elsa hurt Anna by accident. Then, she ran to the mountain."
Level C: The Authors (Advanced)
- Focus: Dialogue, Adjectives, and Feelings.
- Task: Write the story as if they are one of the characters (First Person perspective) OR include dialogue.
- Scaffold provided:
- Prompt: "How did the character feel? What did they say?"
- Challenge: Use words like terrified, furious, magnificent, freezing.
- Example: "'I can't control my powers!' Elsa shouted. She was terrified as she fled up the freezing mountain."
5. Wrap-Up: Gallery Walk (5 Mins)
- Tape the stories to the walls.
- Students walk around and read other groups' stories.
- Peer Feedback: Give students sticky notes. They must stick a "Star" (draw a star) on the story they think had the best description.
Teacher's Toolkit: Scaffolding Handout
You can print this section and cut it into strips for the students.
| Level 1 Word Bank (Beginner) | Level 2 Linkers (Intermediate) | Level 3 Challenge (Advanced) |
Nouns: Princess, Snow, Shoe, Bird, Fox, Cheese. Verbs: Run, Cry, Dance, Eat, Fly. Adjectives: Happy, Sad, Cold, Big. | Sequence: 1. Once upon a time... 2. First... 3. Suddenly... 4. Unfortunately... 5. Next... 6. In the end... | Creative Prompts: * Instead of "said," use: whispered, shouted, cried, laughed. * Describe the weather (stormy, sunny, freezing). * Write what the character is thinking, not just doing. |
Homework Idea
- Beginner: Draw a picture of their favorite scene and write 3 words to describe it.
- Intermediate: Write the story again, but change the ending.
- Advanced: Write a news report interviewing one of the characters after the event.
👉Download Pdf Resources Here>>
Picture Sequence of Fox and the Crow (beginner friendly) vocabulary and sentence starters
Picture Sequence of Cinderella (intermediate) vocabulary and sentence starters
Picture Sequence of Frozen (Advanced) vocabulary and sentence starters
Hope you find the lesson is useful. You can make your own adaptation using different picture sequences and methods. Let's share your experience in the comment section. Share the post if you find it useful to another teacher. Spread the message of ESL hive to your fellow English teacher to widen our audience.
0 Comments