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What would you like to learn?

Override for the tutor's lesson content generation calls. Auto uses the system default (Claude Sonnet 5 for lesson text, Opus 5 for diagrams).

Lesson generation model

System default

i58 💰:18.8

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i25 💰:31.3

Tutoring abilities

Think about your favorite book, movie, or cartoon. Every great story in the world is built from just three special pieces!

What are these three magic pieces that make a story work?

Every story has **characters**, a **setting**, and a **plot**.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>Story Elements: Characters, Setting, Plot</title>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
      user-select: none;
    }

    body {
      background: #f8f9fa;
      color: #1e2945;
      padding: 12px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
    }

    .diagram {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 500px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    /* Scene Stage */
    .scene-box {
      width: 100%;
      height: 200px;
      border-radius: 16px;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: flex-end;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
      background: linear-gradient(180deg, #60a5fa 0%, #93c5fd 60%, #86efac 60%, #4ade80 100%);
      transition: all 0.4s ease;
    }

    /* Setting elements */
    .sky-elem {
      position: absolute;
      top: 14px;
      right: 18px;
      font-size: 32px;
      transition: transform 0.4s ease, opacity 0.4s ease;
    }

    .cloud {
      position: absolute;
      top: 24px;
      left: 20px;
      font-size: 28px;
      opacity: 0.9;
    }

    .scenery {
      position: absolute;
      bottom: 24px;
      width: 100%;
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
      padding: 0 16px;
      font-size: 36px;
      transition: transform 0.4s ease, filter 0.4s ease;
    }

    /* Character elements */
    .actors {
      position: absolute;
      bottom: 20px;
      left: 50%;
      transform: translateX(-50%);
      display: flex;
      align-items: flex-end;
      gap: 8px;
      z-index: 2;
      transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
    }

    .char-main {
      font-size: 52px;
      filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.15));
      transition: transform 0.3s ease;
    }

    .char-side {
      font-size: 38px;
      filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.15));
    }

    /* Plot Path Overlay */
    .plot-overlay {
      position: absolute;
      top: 0;
      left: 0;
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88);
      backdrop-filter: blur(2px);
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-around;
      padding: 10px 14px;
      opacity: 0;
      pointer-events: none;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
      z-index: 5;
    }

    .plot-overlay.visible {
      opacity: 1;
      pointer-events: auto;
    }

    .plot-step {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      text-align: center;
      gap: 4px;
    }

    .plot-icon {
      font-size: 30px;
      background: #ffffff;
      width: 52px;
      height: 52px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
      border: 2px solid #22b7ff;
    }

    .plot-text {
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #1e2945;
    }

    .plot-arrow {
      font-size: 20px;
      color: #94a3b8;
      font-weight: bold;
    }

    /* Focus Highlights */
    .focus-characters .scenery,
    .focus-characters .sky-elem,
    .focus-characters .cloud {
      opacity: 0.35;
      filter: grayscale(40%);
    }

    .focus-characters .actors {
      transform: translateX(-50%) scale(1.18);
    }

    .focus-setting .actors {
      opacity: 0.35;
      filter: grayscale(40%);
    }

    .focus-setting .scenery {
      transform: scale(1.08);
    }

    .focus-setting .sky-elem {
      transform: scale(1.2);
    }

    /* Interactive Element Tabs */
    .elements-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 8px;
    }

    .element-card {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 12px;
      padding: 10px 6px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 2px;
      cursor: pointer;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.03);
      transition: border-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease;
      outline: none;
    }

    .element-card:hover {
      border-color: #cbd5e1;
    }

    .element-card.active {
      border-color: #22b7ff;
      background: #f0f9ff;
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px #22b7ff, 0 4px 12px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.15);
    }

    .card-icon {
      font-size: 24px;
      margin-bottom: 2px;
    }

    .card-title {
      font-size: 14px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #0f172a;
    }

    .card-sub {
      font-size: 12px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #0284c7;
    }

    /* Story Formula Banner */
    .formula {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 6px;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #64748b;
      padding: 6px 10px;
      background: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 20px;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
    }

    .formula span.active-tag {
      color: #0284c7;
      background: #e0f2fe;
      padding: 2px 8px;
      border-radius: 10px;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  <div class="diagram">
    
    <div id="scene" class="scene-box focus-characters">
      <div class="sky-elem">☀️</div>
      <div class="cloud">☁️</div>
      
      <div class="scenery">
        <span>🌲</span>
        <span>🏰</span>
      </div>

      <div class="actors">
        <span class="char-main">🧙‍♂️</span>
        <span class="char-side">🐉</span>
      </div>

      
      <div id="plotOverlay" class="plot-overlay">
        <div class="plot-step">
          <div class="plot-icon">🌱</div>
          <div class="plot-text">Beginning</div>
        </div>
        <div class="plot-arrow">→</div>
        <div class="plot-step">
          <div class="plot-icon">⚡</div>
          <div class="plot-text">Middle</div>
        </div>
        <div class="plot-arrow">→</div>
        <div class="plot-step">
          <div class="plot-icon">🏆</div>
          <div class="plot-text">Ending</div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="elements-grid">
      <button class="element-card active" id="btn-characters" onclick="selectElement('characters')">
        <div class="card-icon">🧙‍♂️</div>
        <div class="card-title">Characters</div>
        <div class="card-sub">(Who)</div>
      </button>

      <button class="element-card" id="btn-setting" onclick="selectElement('setting')">
        <div class="card-icon">🏰</div>
        <div class="card-title">Setting</div>
        <div class="card-sub">(Where)</div>
      </button>

      <button class="element-card" id="btn-plot" onclick="selectElement('plot')">
        <div class="card-icon">🗺️</div>
        <div class="card-title">Plot</div>
        <div class="card-sub">(What)</div>
      </button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="formula">
      <span>📖 Story =</span>
      <span id="tag-characters" class="active-tag">Characters</span>
      <span>+</span>
      <span id="tag-setting">Setting</span>
      <span>+</span>
      <span id="tag-plot">Plot</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <script>
    const scene = document.getElementById('scene');
    const plotOverlay = document.getElementById('plotOverlay');
    const buttons = {
      characters: document.getElementById('btn-characters'),
      setting: document.getElementById('btn-setting'),
      plot: document.getElementById('btn-plot')
    };
    const tags = {
      characters: document.getElementById('tag-characters'),
      setting: document.getElementById('tag-setting'),
      plot: document.getElementById('tag-plot')
    };

    function selectElement(type) {
      // Update scene classes
      scene.className = 'scene-box focus-' + type;
      
      if (type === 'plot') {
        plotOverlay.classList.add('visible');
      } else {
        plotOverlay.classList.remove('visible');
      }

      // Update button active state
      Object.keys(buttons).forEach(key => {
        buttons[key].classList.toggle('active', key === type);
        tags[key].classList.toggle('active-tag', key === type);
      });
    }
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Let's look at the first piece: who is doing all the fun things in the story?

A **character** is a person, animal, or make-believe creature in a story.

Characters think, feel, talk, and make choices in the story, like a clever fox, a superhero kid, or a friendly dragon.

Once we have our characters, where do they go?

The **setting** tells us where and when the story takes place.

It answers two questions: *Where are they?* (like a sunny park or deep ocean) and *When is it?* (like daytime, nighttime, or long ago).

We know who is there and where they are—so what happens next?

The **plot** is the action of the story from the beginning, through the middle, to the end.

In a plot, something happens, a character often solves a problem, and the story finishes with an ending.

Can you spot all three pieces in a mini-story about a little puppy?

"On a rainy morning, Pip the puppy lost his squeaky toy. He searched under the sofa, found it, and wagged his tail happily!"

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>What Is a Story?</title>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif;
      user-select: none;
    }

    body {
      background: #f8f9fa;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 12px;
    }

    .diagram-content {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 540px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    /* Equation / Nav Tabs */
    .formula-row {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr auto 1fr auto 1fr auto 1.2fr;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 4px;
      width: 100%;
    }

    .formula-op {
      font-size: 16px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #94a3b8;
      text-align: center;
    }

    .pill-btn {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 10px;
      padding: 8px 4px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: background-color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
      text-align: center;
    }

    .pill-btn:hover {
      background: #f1f5f9;
    }

    .pill-btn.active {
      border-color: #22b7ff;
      background: #f0f9ff;
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.25);
    }

    .pill-icon {
      font-size: 18px;
      line-height: 1;
      margin-bottom: 2px;
    }

    .pill-label {
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #1e2945;
      line-height: 1.1;
    }

    .pill-sub {
      font-size: 9px;
      color: #64748b;
      margin-top: 1px;
      font-weight: 600;
    }

    .pill-btn.active .pill-label {
      color: #0284c7;
    }

    /* Visual Display Stage */
    .stage-card {
      background: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 14px;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
      position: relative;
      height: 220px;
      overflow: hidden;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03);
    }

    /* Scene layers */
    .scene-bg {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background: linear-gradient(180deg, #bae6fd 0%, #e0f2fe 55%, #86efac 55%, #4ade80 100%);
      transition: filter 0.3s ease, opacity 0.3s ease;
    }

    .sun-moon {
      position: absolute;
      top: 14px;
      right: 20px;
      font-size: 32px;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
    }

    .scenery-items {
      position: absolute;
      top: 55px;
      width: 100%;
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-around;
      padding: 0 10px;
      font-size: 42px;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease, filter 0.3s ease;
    }

    .characters-layer {
      position: absolute;
      bottom: 20px;
      left: 0;
      width: 100%;
      display: flex;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 32px;
      font-size: 48px;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease, filter 0.3s ease;
      z-index: 2;
    }

    .plot-track {
      position: absolute;
      bottom: 12px;
      left: 5%;
      width: 90%;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
      border-radius: 10px;
      border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
      padding: 6px 12px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      z-index: 3;
      transition: opacity 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
    }

    .plot-step {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #334155;
    }

    .plot-arrow {
      color: #94a3b8;
      font-size: 12px;
    }

    /* Highlight Banner */
    .badge-bar {
      position: absolute;
      top: 10px;
      left: 10px;
      z-index: 4;
      background: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.85);
      color: #ffffff;
      padding: 4px 10px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.3px;
      backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
    }

    /* Dimming Modes */
    .view-character .scene-bg { opacity: 0.35; filter: grayscale(80%); }
    .view-character .scenery-items { opacity: 0.2; filter: grayscale(100%); }
    .view-character .plot-track { opacity: 0.15; }
    .view-character .characters-layer { opacity: 1; filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.25)); }

    .view-setting .characters-layer { opacity: 0.2; filter: grayscale(100%); }
    .view-setting .plot-track { opacity: 0.15; }
    .view-setting .scene-bg { opacity: 1; filter: none; }
    .view-setting .scenery-items { opacity: 1; filter: drop-shadow(0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.15)); }

    .view-plot .scene-bg { opacity: 0.4; }
    .view-plot .scenery-items { opacity: 0.3; }
    .view-plot .characters-layer { opacity: 0.35; }
    .view-plot .plot-track { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1.02); box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); }

    .view-all .scene-bg { opacity: 1; filter: none; }
    .view-all .scenery-items { opacity: 1; }
    .view-all .characters-layer { opacity: 1; }
    .view-all .plot-track { opacity: 0.95; }

    /* Stepper Controls */
    .controls {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .nav-btn {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
      color: #334155;
      width: 32px;
      height: 32px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      cursor: pointer;
      font-size: 13px;
      transition: background-color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
    }

    .nav-btn:hover {
      background: #f1f5f9;
      border-color: #94a3b8;
    }

    .dots-group {
      display: flex;
      gap: 6px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .dot {
      width: 10px;
      height: 10px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: #cbd5e1;
      border: none;
      cursor: pointer;
      padding: 0;
      transition: background-color 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
    }

    .dot:hover {
      background: #94a3b8;
    }

    .dot.active {
      background: #22b7ff;
      box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.3);
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  <div class="diagram-content">
    
    
    <div class="formula-row">
      <button class="pill-btn active" id="tab-0" onclick="setStep(0)">
        <span class="pill-icon">🧙‍♂️</span>
        <span class="pill-label">Characters</span>
        <span class="pill-sub">WHO</span>
      </button>

      <span class="formula-op">+</span>

      <button class="pill-btn" id="tab-1" onclick="setStep(1)">
        <span class="pill-icon">🏰</span>
        <span class="pill-label">Setting</span>
        <span class="pill-sub">WHERE</span>
      </button>

      <span class="formula-op">+</span>

      <button class="pill-btn" id="tab-2" onclick="setStep(2)">
        <span class="pill-icon">⚡</span>
        <span class="pill-label">Plot</span>
        <span class="pill-sub">WHAT</span>
      </button>

      <span class="formula-op">=</span>

      <button class="pill-btn" id="tab-3" onclick="setStep(3)">
        <span class="pill-icon">📖</span>
        <span class="pill-label">Story</span>
        <span class="pill-sub">ALL 3</span>
      </button>
    </div>

    
    <div class="stage-card view-character" id="stage">
      <div class="badge-bar" id="badge">1. Characters (The People & Animals)</div>
      
      <div class="scene-bg"></div>
      <div class="sun-moon">☀️</div>
      
      <div class="scenery-items">
        <span>🌲</span>
        <span>🏰</span>
        <span>🌲</span>
      </div>

      <div class="characters-layer">
        <span title="Knight">🧙‍♂️</span>
        <span title="Dragon">🐉</span>
      </div>

      <div class="plot-track">
        <div class="plot-step"><span>🌱</span> Beg</div>
        <span class="plot-arrow">➔</span>
        <div class="plot-step"><span>⚔️</span> Mid</div>
        <span class="plot-arrow">➔</span>
        <div class="plot-step"><span>🏆</span> End</div>
      </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="controls">
      <button class="nav-btn" onclick="prevStep()" aria-label="Previous step">◀</button>
      
      <div class="dots-group">
        <button class="dot active" id="dot-0" onclick="setStep(0)" aria-label="Step 1"></button>
        <button class="dot" id="dot-1" onclick="setStep(1)" aria-label="Step 2"></button>
        <button class="dot" id="dot-2" onclick="setStep(2)" aria-label="Step 3"></button>
        <button class="dot" id="dot-3" onclick="setStep(3)" aria-label="Step 4"></button>
      </div>

      <button class="nav-btn" onclick="nextStep()" aria-label="Next step">▶</button>
    </div>

  </div>

  <script>
    let currentStep = 0;
    const totalSteps = 4;

    const stepData = [
      { class: 'view-character', text: '1. Characters (Who is in the story)' },
      { class: 'view-setting',   text: '2. Setting (Where & when it happens)' },
      { class: 'view-plot',      text: '3. Plot (What happens in the story)' },
      { class: 'view-all',       text: 'Story = Characters + Setting + Plot!' }
    ];

    function setStep(index) {
      currentStep = index;
      updateUI();
    }

    function nextStep() {
      currentStep = (currentStep + 1) % totalSteps;
      updateUI();
    }

    function prevStep() {
      currentStep = (currentStep - 1 + totalSteps) % totalSteps;
      updateUI();
    }

    function updateUI() {
      const stage = document.getElementById('stage');
      const badge = document.getElementById('badge');

      // Update stage class
      stage.className = 'stage-card ' + stepData[currentStep].class;
      badge.textContent = stepData[currentStep].text;

      // Update active states on buttons & dots
      for (let i = 0; i < totalSteps; i++) {
        const tab = document.getElementById('tab-' + i);
        const dot = document.getElementById('dot-' + i);
        
        if (i === currentStep) {
          tab.classList.add('active');
          dot.classList.add('active');
        } else {
          tab.classList.remove('active');
          dot.classList.remove('active');
        }
      }
    }
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Next time you read a storybook, try asking yourself: who is the character, where is the setting, and what is the plot?

What Is a Story? Characters, Setting and Plot. Understand that stories have characters, a setting and a plot.

KS1 English: What are Story Elements? (Characters, Settings, and Plots)

KS1 Year 1 English: Identifying Character, Setting, and Plot in Narrative Texts

Grade 1 English Language Arts: Identify Characters, Setting, and Plot Elements

Pedagogical strategy for Years 1-2 mastery: Begin with oral storytelling and familiar picture books before moving to decodable text analysis. Use tactile and visual colour-coded scaffolds (e.g., blue for Setting, green for Character, orange for Plot). Encourage students to use physical gesture prompts (pointing to self for Character, gesturing around the room for Setting, and tracing a three-step path in the air for Plot) to solidify understanding during shared reading discussions.

What Is a Story? Characters, Setting and Plot

The Three Story Pieces

1. Characters (Who)

2. Setting (Where and When)