“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
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 Amina's Voice. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram for Amina's Voice.
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Cells include images that help to tell the story and do not get in the way of understanding. Descriptions match the images. | Descriptions do not always match the images. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Plot | Each of the six cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | Two cells or fewer are out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or three or more cells are out of order. |
| 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 difficult to understand. |
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 Amina's Voice. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram for Amina's Voice.
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Cells include images that help to tell the story and do not get in the way of understanding. Descriptions match the images. | Descriptions do not always match the images. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Plot | Each of the six cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | Two cells or fewer are out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or three or more cells are out of order. |
| 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 difficult to understand. |
Encourage students to think critically about the story by preparing a list of open-ended, thought-provoking questions related to major plot events and character decisions. These questions foster deeper understanding and lively classroom dialogue.
Ask students to relate events or challenges from Amina's Voice to their own lives or experiences. This step builds empathy and helps students see the relevance of literature in real-world contexts.
Select a pivotal scene and think aloud as you break down the characters' motivations, conflicts, and outcomes. Demonstrate how to use textual evidence to support interpretations.
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different plot segment. Have them create mini plot diagrams and present their sections to the class. This promotes collaboration and reinforces plot structure.
Invite students to retell a plot section from the perspective of a minor character or through another creative lens. This deepens comprehension and makes learning engaging and memorable.
A plot diagram for Amina's Voice visually maps the main events of the novel, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, to help students understand the story's structure and key turning points.
Students can create a visual plot diagram for Amina's Voice by dividing the story into six parts—Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution—then illustrating each section and writing a brief description for each major event.
Identifying the main events in Amina's Voice helps students understand character development, the narrative arc, and literary structure, making it easier to analyze and discuss the novel's themes and messages.
The major turning points in Amina's Voice include the exposition (introduction of characters and setting), rising action (conflicts and challenges), climax (the most intense moment), falling action (events after the climax), and resolution (the story's conclusion).
Teachers can guide students by encouraging them to focus on key events, use visuals to represent characters and scenes, and write concise descriptions for each plot stage. Using a storyboard template can make the process easier and more engaging.
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
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“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher