Activity Overview
In this activity, students decide on what they think the important parts in the text are, and categorize them into the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Having students decide on the beginning, middle, and end will help them break up the text, and make it easier to choose one or two main events to create. Students can plan their ideas with a partner or individually, and decide what main parts they would like to add to their storyboard.
Each chapter in the story is devoted to an adventure that Cowgirl Kate and her hungry horse, Cocoa, embark on. Students can choose a chapter to summarize and make a storyboard depicting the beginning, middle, and end.
The example below is for the chapter titled, "Counting Cows".
Beginning
Cowgirl Kate is trying to count the cows, but Cocoa keeps distracting her. She decides to count them herself, but is too small to see the cows on the ground, and she's also too short to see on a fence.
Middle
She decides to climb up a tall tree to count, but Cocoa cries to for her to come down. He is worried she may fall, and he says he will help her count the cows if she comes down.
End
Kate climbs onto Cocoa and they count the cows. Cocoa even remembers what number cow Kate was on when she stopped counting.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Make a storyboard summary of a chapter in Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa.
- Make a picture that shows the beginning of the chapter.
- Make a picture that shows the middle of the chapter.
- Make a picture that shows the end of the chapter.
- Write a sentence under each picture.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students decide on what they think the important parts in the text are, and categorize them into the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Having students decide on the beginning, middle, and end will help them break up the text, and make it easier to choose one or two main events to create. Students can plan their ideas with a partner or individually, and decide what main parts they would like to add to their storyboard.
Each chapter in the story is devoted to an adventure that Cowgirl Kate and her hungry horse, Cocoa, embark on. Students can choose a chapter to summarize and make a storyboard depicting the beginning, middle, and end.
The example below is for the chapter titled, "Counting Cows".
Beginning
Cowgirl Kate is trying to count the cows, but Cocoa keeps distracting her. She decides to count them herself, but is too small to see the cows on the ground, and she's also too short to see on a fence.
Middle
She decides to climb up a tall tree to count, but Cocoa cries to for her to come down. He is worried she may fall, and he says he will help her count the cows if she comes down.
End
Kate climbs onto Cocoa and they count the cows. Cocoa even remembers what number cow Kate was on when she stopped counting.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Make a storyboard summary of a chapter in Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa.
- Make a picture that shows the beginning of the chapter.
- Make a picture that shows the middle of the chapter.
- Make a picture that shows the end of the chapter.
- Write a sentence under each picture.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Chapter Summary Activity
Organize a class discussion on story structure before summarizing
Engage students by talking about the beginning, middle, and end of stories together. Share examples and ask students to describe these parts in familiar tales. This builds a strong foundation for their own summaries.
Model how to identify key events in a chapter
Demonstrate how to pick out the most important events from a chapter by reading aloud and pausing to think aloud. Highlight how to spot actions or changes that move the story forward. This helps students recognize what matters most for their summaries.
Guide students to use graphic organizers for planning
Provide a simple chart or storyboard template for students to jot down their ideas for the beginning, middle, and end. Let them sketch or write brief notes in each section. Visual planning supports all learners, especially early writers.
Encourage peer collaboration for brainstorming
Pair students or create small groups to talk about their chapter choices and main events. Collaborating helps students clarify their thinking and sparks new ideas for their summaries and illustrations.
Facilitate a gallery walk to share storyboards
Invite students to display their finished storyboards and walk around the classroom to view others’ work. Encourage positive feedback and discuss different choices for main events. This builds confidence and a sense of community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Chapter Summary Activity
What is the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa chapter summary activity?
The Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa chapter summary activity is a lesson where students pick a chapter from the book, identify the beginning, middle, and end of the story, and then create a storyboard with drawings and sentences to summarize the key events in each part.
How do you teach students to summarize a chapter using beginning, middle, and end?
To teach students to summarize a chapter, guide them to first identify the main events in the beginning, middle, and end. Then, have them sketch or describe each part and write a sentence under each picture to reinforce understanding of story structure.
What are some tips for helping 2nd or 3rd graders create storyboards for books like Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa?
Encourage students to work with a partner to brainstorm ideas, focus on one or two key events per story part, and use simple sentences. Providing an example storyboard and sentence starters can also support young learners.
Why is categorizing events into beginning, middle, and end important for young readers?
Categorizing events helps young readers break down the narrative, making it easier to understand, remember, and retell the story. It also builds foundational skills for summarizing and analyzing texts.
Can this activity be done individually or in groups?
Yes, the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa summary activity can be completed individually, with a partner, or in a group. This flexibility allows teachers to adapt the lesson to different classroom needs and learning styles.
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