A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop greater understanding of literary structures. In this activity, students will create a plot diagram for the story Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.
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. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of Chains.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Ask students thought-provoking questions that connect to Chains themes, characters, and historical context. This helps students deepen comprehension and encourages critical thinking about the novel's events and moral dilemmas.
Invite students to relate Isabel's journey to their own lives or current events. Making personal connections fosters empathy and engagement with the text, helping students see the relevance of history and literature.
Assign students to research one aspect of the Revolutionary War era featured in Chains, such as slavery, Loyalists vs. Patriots, or daily colonial life. Sharing findings enriches understanding of the novel's setting and real-world significance.
Offer students the choice to create character maps, theme charts, or setting illustrations in addition to the plot diagram. These visual tools help diverse learners process and remember key story elements.
A plot diagram for Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson visually maps out the story's key events, including the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, helping students understand the novel's structure.
Students can create a storyboard plot diagram for Chains by dividing the story into six parts—Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution—then illustrating important moments and writing brief descriptions for each section.
Using a plot diagram helps middle school students break down and visualize the narrative arc of Chains, reinforcing comprehension of major events and deepening their understanding of literary elements.
The main parts students should include in a plot diagram for Chains are: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Encourage students to focus on turning points, conflicts, and resolutions in Chains. Have them summarize each plot section in their own words and use visuals to represent important characters or scenes for each stage.