Level 3 • Lesson 17 — Invent an adventure story

Objective

I can plan and write an original adventure story with a clear setting, characters, a goal/problem, rising action, a climax, and a complete ending that resolves the problem.

Materials

Pencil ✏️ and eraser
Story planner or notebook
Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Use time words (first, next, then, finally) and sensory details to make action scenes vivid.

Mini-lesson — Build a strong adventure arc

Setup: Who is the hero? Where are they? What do they want?
Obstacle: What stands in the way? (storm, locked gate, riddle, rival)
Rising action: 2–3 events that get harder and build tension.
Climax: The most exciting moment where the hero faces the big challenge.
Ending: Problem solved (or partly solved) and how the hero changed.
Style: Use action verbs, dialogue, and sensory detail (sound, sight, touch).

Guided Practice — Trace ideas & plan your adventure

Trace key words, then sketch a quick plan for an adventure set in a stormy lighthouse or a desert canyon:

Key words: hero, goal, obstacle, clue, rising action, climax, ending
Example outline:
1. Setup: A kid explorer reaches a dark lighthouse to warn ships.
2. Rising action: Stairs break, a door is locked, thunder knocks power out.
3. Climax: They repair the light just in time during a huge wave.
4. Ending: Ships pass safely; the hero learns calm focus beats panic.

Tracing Pad

Lines Letter

Pen

Drag & Drop — Sequence an Adventure Plot

Build clear sentences that would fit a strong adventure. Keep punctuation at the end.

Firsttheherostudiesastormmapatthelighthouse.

Nextagiantwavecrashesagainstthecliffpath.

Becausethedoorislockedtheherosearchesforahiddenkey.

Thenthestairstrembleandthelightsflickerout.

Theclimaxhappenswhentheherorepairsthebeaconduringthestorm.

Finallytheshipsseethelightandthecoastissafeagain.

Strongverbslikedashedboltedandgrippedbuildaction.

Dialoguecanrevealplansandshowhowcharactersfeel.

Sensorydetailshelpreadersseehearandfeelthestorm.

Astrongendingshowswhatchangedaftertheadventure.

Heroesmakechoicesthatsolvetheproblemnotluckalone.

Timewordsguidereadersthrougheachstepofthequest.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) An adventure story should include…

only a setting a goal/problem, rising action, climax, and ending just dialogue

2) Which best shows rising action?

The hero faces 2–3 tougher challenges. Everyone falls asleep. The story ends suddenly.

3) The climax is…

the first sentence the setting the most exciting challenge or turning point

4) Which sentence uses sensory detail?

It was okay. Cold spray stung my face as the wind howled. I am a person.

5) Choose the time word that guides readers:

then pizza purple

6) Which belongs in the ending?

a new problem random facts how the problem is solved and what changed

7) Which line shows action verbs?

is, are, was dashed, gripped, leaped red, blue, green

8) Dialogue can…

reveal plans and feelings replace the setting remove the problem

9) Which sentence fits an adventure?

My socks are striped. We ate lunch quietly. The bridge groaned as rocks tumbled below.

10) A hero should…

wait for luck make choices that move the plot list colors

11) Which best shows the problem?

The beacon fails during a storm. The sky is blue. Sandwiches are tasty.

12) Which is a vivid detail?

Good weather. Nice day. Salt wind whipped my cheeks and jacket strings.

13) Rising action means…

characters go home tension builds through connected events the title of the book

14) Which transition fits a climax?

at last yesterday maybe

15) A complete ending should…

start a new problem list the supplies again show the result and lesson learned

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Clear setting and characters Defined goal/problem and logical rising action Strong climax and resolved ending Uses time words, action verbs, and sensory detail

Exit ticket (student)

😀 My adventure has a clear goal, climax, and ending 🙂 I need more practice building rising action 😅 I need stronger action verbs and details

I will practice…

Planning 2–3 rising action events Adding dialogue to show feelings or plans Using “at last” or “finally” for the climax/ending

Lesson 17: Invent an adventure story