Reading memoirs or true accounts of a historical event is a great way for students to connect with history. This activity combines ELA with history, while students read Cynthia Grady's book Write to Me. The book can be read as a class read-aloud or as independent reading. Then, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in the story.
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. Their storyboards 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 of Write to Me.
Student Instructions:
Enhance your lesson by including actual letters from Japanese American children in WWII. Primary sources deepen empathy and bring history to life for students.
Choose letters that are understandable and relevant for grades 2–8. Look for short, clear examples that highlight children's voices and personal experiences.
Introduce a brief background on Japanese American incarceration and why children wrote letters. This helps students connect emotionally and understand the significance.
Share the letters aloud, then facilitate a discussion about students' reactions and connections to Write to Me. Encourage them to identify feelings and perspectives in the letters.
Ask students to reference themes or details from the primary source letters as they create their visual plot diagrams. This strengthens understanding of both the story and the historical era.
A visual plot diagram is a graphic organizer that outlines key events in a story, such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For 'Write to Me,' creating a visual plot diagram helps students identify major story events and deepen their understanding of literary structure by connecting text to visuals.
Begin by reading 'Write to Me' aloud as a class. After reading, guide students to break down the story into key plot elements and create a visual plot diagram. Encourage them to illustrate each section and write brief descriptions, reinforcing comprehension and engagement with the historical content.
Key plot points for a 'Write to Me' plot diagram include the Title, Exposition (introduction and setting), Rising Action (events leading to the main conflict), Climax (turning point), Falling Action (events following the climax), and Resolution (story's conclusion).
By creating a visual plot diagram, students strengthen reading comprehension, learn to identify literary elements, and connect historical events to personal stories. This activity also boosts visual literacy and encourages critical thinking about history.
The best approach is to have students use storyboards or graphic organizers to illustrate each plot element with scenes, characters, and items from the book. Pairing images with short descriptions ensures students capture both the emotional and historical significance of each moment.