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Activity Overview


Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop 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 Elijah of Buxton. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.


Template and Class Instructions

(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 of Elijah of Buxton.

Student Instructions:

  1. Separate the story into the Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
  2. Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
  3. Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.

Lesson Plan Reference

Common Core Standards
  • [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/5] Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Plot Diagram Rubric
Create a visual Plot Diagram that summarizes the story. The storyboard should have six cells: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Below each cell, type in a description of that part of the story.
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.


How To Analyze and Summarize the Major Events in “Elijah of Buxton”

1

Read and Analyze

Ask the students to carefully read the book and try to analyze each and every small detail. Teachers can conduct daily study and discussion sessions in class where students can share the insights and perspectives they gained after reading a particular section of the book. This will make the reading more interesting and students will look forward to daily discussions.

2

Engage in Chapter Analysis

Help the students analyze the story by engaging them in chapter-by-chapter or section-by-section discussion and analysis. Ask the students to highlight the major events present in each chapter, track character development and progress, and analyze how the narrative is being shaped by the themes. Students can also write a short paragraph summarizing their analysis.

3

Breakdown the Plot

Condense the story into its most important moments. Find the story's main turning points and have students identify them. In light of the overarching theme and the character development, talk about the relevance of each occurrence. Teachers can also use the structure of a plot diagram for this activity.

4

Assign Projects and Foster Creativity

Set up groups of students, then give each group a specific topic or event to research and bring to the class. Encourage artistic endeavors like character diaries, different conclusions, or illustrations of important situations. Students can also propose any particular projects they would like to do for an enhanced learning experience.

5

Encourage Active Participation and Note-taking

Encourage the students to actively participate in each discussion in order to keep up with the class and the lessons and gain different insights and perspectives through discussion with their classmates. Teachers can also guide the students to different note taking techniques which can help them learn more effectively and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plot Diagram and Summary of “Elijah of Buxton”

How does "Elijah of Buxton"'s falling action develop and how does it result in a resolution?

The climax is followed by the falling action, which depicts the fallout from the characters' decisions. It could have to do with Elijah's choices and how they affect the neighborhood in this book. The resolution is the part of the ending that ties everything together. The resolution and the climax are connected by the falling action. In the narrative, Elijah's choice to save the enslaved woman's baby shapes both his personality and his personal development.

What impact does the historical setting have on the novel's plot?

The tole of Buxton as a settlement for escaped slaves in Canada plays an important role in the story. These historical events played a major role in shaping the themes and ideas of the narrative and also helped in somewhat realistic creation of the characters.




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