“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 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 Glory Be. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Exposition: Life in Mississippi during the summer of 1964 teaches Glory all about racism, honesty, cruelty, and standing up for what you believe in.
Rising Action:The community pool closes. Although the town is saying that it is closed due to needing repairs, Glory knows it’s because the town voted to close it so that the black people could not use it.
Climax: The pool gets broken into, and Laura gets blamed.
Falling Action: J.T. and his friends beat up Robbie in front of Jesslyn and Glory. They take Robbie to Emma and tell Emma everything.
Resolution: Jesslyn and Glory spend more time together. Although they are sad that Robbie and Laura are gone, the town seems more united than ever to stand up against segregation and racism.
(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 Glory Be
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 5-6
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 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plot Images | Cells include images that convey events in the corresponding stage of the plot. The images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them. | Cells include one or two images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Most images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them. | Cells include three or more images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Images depict minor and inimportant moments or do not reflect the descriptions below them. |
| Plot Text | The storyboard correctly identifies all six stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells correctly breaks down the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot and includes the most significant events of the book. | The storyboard misidentifies one or two stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells breaks down most of the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot, but may omit some significant events of the book. | The storyboard misidentifies three or more stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells does not correspond to the events of that stage. Overall plot description is not logical. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is exemplary. Text contains few or no mistakes. | Text contains some significant errors in spelling or grammar. | Text contains many errors in spelling or grammar. |
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 Glory Be. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Exposition: Life in Mississippi during the summer of 1964 teaches Glory all about racism, honesty, cruelty, and standing up for what you believe in.
Rising Action:The community pool closes. Although the town is saying that it is closed due to needing repairs, Glory knows it’s because the town voted to close it so that the black people could not use it.
Climax: The pool gets broken into, and Laura gets blamed.
Falling Action: J.T. and his friends beat up Robbie in front of Jesslyn and Glory. They take Robbie to Emma and tell Emma everything.
Resolution: Jesslyn and Glory spend more time together. Although they are sad that Robbie and Laura are gone, the town seems more united than ever to stand up against segregation and racism.
(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 Glory Be
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 5-6
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 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plot Images | Cells include images that convey events in the corresponding stage of the plot. The images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them. | Cells include one or two images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Most images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them. | Cells include three or more images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Images depict minor and inimportant moments or do not reflect the descriptions below them. |
| Plot Text | The storyboard correctly identifies all six stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells correctly breaks down the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot and includes the most significant events of the book. | The storyboard misidentifies one or two stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells breaks down most of the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot, but may omit some significant events of the book. | The storyboard misidentifies three or more stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells does not correspond to the events of that stage. Overall plot description is not logical. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is exemplary. Text contains few or no mistakes. | Text contains some significant errors in spelling or grammar. | Text contains many errors in spelling or grammar. |
Increase student engagement by having them work together to create plot diagrams. Collaboration helps students discuss story elements, share perspectives, and deepen their understanding of the text.
Divide your class into small groups and assign roles like illustrator, summarizer, and discussion leader. Clear roles ensure participation and keep the activity organized.
Hand out blank plot diagram templates and access to classroom art supplies or digital storyboard tools. Templates guide students and help them focus on key story points.
Encourage groups to talk through the story and decide which events best fit each plot diagram section. Discussion strengthens comprehension and builds consensus.
Invite each group to present their plot diagram and explain their choices. Sharing work builds confidence, promotes speaking skills, and exposes students to different interpretations.
A plot diagram activity for 'Glory Be' guides students to visually organize the novel’s main events by breaking them into the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students better understand narrative structure and key turning points in the story.
To create a plot diagram for 'Glory Be', divide the story into six sections: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, select important events, use visuals or storyboards, and write brief descriptions to summarize each stage of the plot.
The major plot points in 'Glory Be' include: Exposition (Glory learning about life and racism in 1964 Mississippi), Rising Action (the pool closes due to segregation), Climax (the pool is broken into and Laura is blamed), Falling Action (J.T. and friends beat up Robbie), and Resolution (the town unites against racism).
Making a plot diagram helps students break down and visualize key events in 'Glory Be', reinforcing comprehension of the story’s structure, character development, and central themes like racism and standing up for what’s right.
Instruct students to: 1) Click “Start Assignment,” 2) separate the story into Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, 3) use visuals for each section, 4) write a brief description, and 5) save and exit when finished.
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
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