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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/maniac-magee-by-jerry-spinelli/plot-diagram
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
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 help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Having students create a Maniac Magee summary will ensure they grasp important events from this story.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.
Maniac Magee Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Jeffrey becomes an orphan, and is forced to live with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan. He can no longer stand living with them, and runs away.
Conflict
Jeffrey bounces between East End and West End, trying to find a place to call home.
Rising Action
Jeffrey performs many impressive feats and earns the name "Maniac".
Climax
Maniac blurs the lines between blacks and whites by bringing Mars Bar to the McNab's home.
Falling Action
Maniac is disappointed by the behavior in Two Mills and is upset that he can't fix the problems himself; he is alone and unsure about the future.
Resolution
Maniac befriends Mars Bar and moves back to the one place he truly feels at home - with the Beale family.
Template and Class Instructions
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of Maniac Magee.
- Separate Maniac Magee's story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 5-8)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Creative Elements | Creativity and imagery are used effectively (helps to tell the story). At least three Textables are included in plot diagram. | Creative elements (clipart) are somewhat distracting. At least two Textables throughout their plot diagram. | Creativity is minimally apparent, and the overall design shows a lack of effort. Clipart may be confusing and distract from the story. Student used one or fewer Textables. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling within the Textables is mostly correct (fewer than eight errors). Grammar does not hinder understanding. | Spelling within textables is somewhat correct (fewer than 10 errors). Grammar may hinder some understanding or make reading difficult. | Spelling is mostly incorrect (10 or more errors). Grammar severely hinders understanding. |
| Plot Elements | There are three complete slides: one for beginning, one for the middle, and one for the end. Slides explain the work of prose and are easy to follow. | There are three cells, but one or two do not depict the correct element within the work of prose (e.g. the beginning is misplaced). Story is somewhat difficult to follow. | One or more cells is missing. Only one part of the plot is represented (e.g. only the beginning). Story is hard to follow. |
Lesson Plan Overview
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 help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Having students create a Maniac Magee summary will ensure they grasp important events from this story.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.
Maniac Magee Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Jeffrey becomes an orphan, and is forced to live with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan. He can no longer stand living with them, and runs away.
Conflict
Jeffrey bounces between East End and West End, trying to find a place to call home.
Rising Action
Jeffrey performs many impressive feats and earns the name "Maniac".
Climax
Maniac blurs the lines between blacks and whites by bringing Mars Bar to the McNab's home.
Falling Action
Maniac is disappointed by the behavior in Two Mills and is upset that he can't fix the problems himself; he is alone and unsure about the future.
Resolution
Maniac befriends Mars Bar and moves back to the one place he truly feels at home - with the Beale family.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of Maniac Magee.
- Separate Maniac Magee's story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 5-8)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Creative Elements | Creativity and imagery are used effectively (helps to tell the story). At least three Textables are included in plot diagram. | Creative elements (clipart) are somewhat distracting. At least two Textables throughout their plot diagram. | Creativity is minimally apparent, and the overall design shows a lack of effort. Clipart may be confusing and distract from the story. Student used one or fewer Textables. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling within the Textables is mostly correct (fewer than eight errors). Grammar does not hinder understanding. | Spelling within textables is somewhat correct (fewer than 10 errors). Grammar may hinder some understanding or make reading difficult. | Spelling is mostly incorrect (10 or more errors). Grammar severely hinders understanding. |
| Plot Elements | There are three complete slides: one for beginning, one for the middle, and one for the end. Slides explain the work of prose and are easy to follow. | There are three cells, but one or two do not depict the correct element within the work of prose (e.g. the beginning is misplaced). Story is somewhat difficult to follow. | One or more cells is missing. Only one part of the plot is represented (e.g. only the beginning). Story is hard to follow. |
How To Summarize Points For Plot Diagrams
1
Divide the Book into Sections
Teachers can divide the book into six proper sections for students so it is easier for them to identify which part of the story falls into a specific category. These six divisions will be of Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
2
Read Carefully
After the book has been divided, students should carefully read each section of the book. They can use highlighters to highlight important points and colorful notes to write small important points.
3
Identify the Main Plot
For each division, students can identify 2-3 main points which proved to be the turning point for the story. In short, they will be identifying the main plot of that section of the book.
4
Write Summary
After identifying the main plot, the students can summarize each section into a maximum of 100 words using all the important and highlighted points from the book.
5
Add to Plot Diagram
After writing these summaries, students can add them to the plot diagrams they have been making for the book. If they are making it on an online software they can type in the summary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maniac Magee Summary/ Plot Diagram
What are the primary occurrences in "Maniac Magee's" rising action?
The escalating action in "Maniac Magee" includes the arrival of Maniac in Two Mills, his contacts with various characters, his renowned exploits like untying the Cobble's Knot, and his run-ins with racial tensions in the community.
What happens in "Maniac Magee" at its climax?
The height of the suspense and drama in "Maniac Magee" occurs at this point. When Maniac addresses the racially divided East End and West End, urging people to come together and tear down racial boundaries, it could be the moment when the drama reaches its conclusion.
How are the problems resolved in "Maniac Magee"'s falling action?
The fallout from the climax and how the characters handle conflict resolution are depicted in "Maniac Magee"'s descending action. It might involve ending the conflict between East End and West End residents and concluding Maniac's own adventure.
Briefly introduce the resolution aspect of the novel “Maniac Magee”.
The conclusion of "Maniac Magee" depicts the overall result of the narrative, as well as the long-term consequences of Maniac's deeds on the town and its residents. It might also represent Maniac's decision to leave Two Mills behind.
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Maniac Magee
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
