Reading/Language Arts
Grade 2
Literary Elements
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to identify the main literary
elements of fiction: plot, setting, and characters. Here is your
chance to help your child practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
__________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 9/2/04
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PLOT, SETTING, AND CHARACTERS
Parent Pointer —
The three main elements of a fictional story are the plot, setting, and
characters. The plot is made up of the important events that form the
base of a story. These are the actions and events that help move the
story along and make it interesting. The setting is where and when the
story takes place. This is where everything in the story occurs and
often affects how the characters react and behave. The characters
are the people, or animals, in a story who are involved in the actions and
events. They are the ones who deal with the problems and solve them.
Being able to identify and describe these elements will help your child
become an effective reader.
Reading in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Look at the Story Elements reference page. Read each
of these definitions to your parent or guardian. Talk about each one to
make sure you both understand them. Turn to the story “Run, Run As
Fast As You Can.” You and your parent or guardian should take turns
reading the story aloud. You read one paragraph. Then your parent or
guardian reads the next. Talk about the characters and setting in the
story. Then discuss the important events of the story. Next, look at
The Story of the Gingerbread Man activity page. Complete this by
describing the characters, plot, and setting. Show your parent or
guardian your descriptions. See if he or she agrees with them.
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show
what you know.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Story Elements
Plot
All the important
events that happen
in a story
Characters
The people, or
animals, in a story
that are involved in
the actions and
events
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
Setting
The time and place
in which a story
happens
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Run, Run As Fast As You Can
adapted from the fairy tale “The Gingerbread Man”
There once was a little old man and a little old woman. They lived
in a small cottage on the edge of the forest. They were not a very happy
couple, since they had no children. They wished for one though.
One day the old woman was baking gingerbread cookies. She
decided to make one in the shape of a little boy. She put the cookies in
the oven to bake.
When the cookies were done, she opened the
oven door. When she did this, a little gingerbread
man jumped out. The gingerbread man ran right out
the door.
The old man and old woman chased after the
gingerbread man. But he was much too fast. He ran
into a nearby barn, which was filled with cows. He
said to them, “Run, run as fast as you can. You can’t
catch me. I’m the gingerbread man!”
Then the cows started running after him. But they could not catch
him, because he was too fast. The gingerbread man kept running until
he came to a fence. Inside the fence there were pigs. He said to them,
“Run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the gingerbread
man!”
Then the pigs started running after him. But they could not catch
the gingerbread man, so he kept on running until he reached a field of
grass. In the field there were horses. He said to them, “Run, run as fast
as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the gingerbread man!”
So the horses began running after him, but they could not catch
him either. No one could catch the gingerbread man. He just kept
running and he was never seen again.
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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The Story of the Gingerbread Man
Characters
Plot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Setting
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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The Back Page
Talk about It
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions:
9What is the plot of a story?
9What is the setting of a story?
9Who are the characters in a story?
Student —
Answer the above questions in complete sentences on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of
this page:
9Have your parent or guardian read you a story. Talk
about the characters and setting with him or her.
Also tell him or her the important events in the story.
Then write about the characters, setting, and events
of the story.
9Read your favorite story. Draw pictures of the
characters and the setting. Also draw pictures of the
important events in the story.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 2 – Literary Elements
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 9/2/04