Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop a greater understanding of literary structures. Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in Al Capone Does My Shirts. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram for Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Student Instructions:
Invite students to share their thoughts on the book in an open discussion. Encourage them to talk about their favorite characters, moments, and themes. This builds engagement and lets every voice be heard.
Ask students to relate events from the plot diagram to situations they might face in real life. Guide them to draw parallels between the characters’ struggles and their own experiences. This deepens understanding and empathy.
Challenge students to write an alternate ending or a new scene for the story. Encourage them to use their imagination and the plot diagram for inspiration. This activity builds writing skills and critical thinking.
Pair students to review each other's plot diagrams. Guide them to give specific, positive feedback and suggest improvements. Peer review fosters collaboration and helps students refine their work.
A plot diagram for Al Capone Does My Shirts visually outlines the novel’s main events: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. It helps students understand how the story unfolds and the key turning points in the narrative.
To create a visual plot diagram, divide the story into six parts: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, draw or select an image that represents major events, and write a brief description to explain its significance in the story.
Major events to include are: the introduction of Moose Flanagan and his family (Exposition), Moose adjusting to life on Alcatraz and challenges with his sister Natalie (Rising Action), the climax involving Natalie’s school acceptance, and how the family resolves their struggles (Falling Action and Resolution).
Using a plot diagram helps students visually organize the story, identify key events, and better grasp literary structure. It reinforces comprehension and makes it easier to discuss themes and character development in Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Keep the storyboard visual and interactive by letting students choose images or draw scenes, use color coding for different plot parts, and encourage creative descriptions. This approach makes learning memorable and helps students connect more deeply with the novel.