Matilda Summary Activity: Plot Diagram

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will demonstrate their comprehension of the text through summarizing three or more events.

Example of a Plot Diagram for Matilda

Exposition

The Wormwood family is not like any other. Mr. and Mrs. Wormword don't care that their 5 1/2 year old daughter Matilda is a genius, and Matilda doesn't quite realize what she is capable until she tries.

Rising Action

At school, Matilda's life isn't much better. Her teacher, Miss Trunchbull, is mean and simply horrible, bringing out Matilda's telekinetic powers and the prankster within her.

Climax

Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to write on the chalkboard and scare Miss Trunchbull, causing her to pass out.

Falling Action

Miss Trunchbull has left the school, and Miss Honey's life is starting to fall back into place. Matilda is able to skip some grades and finally feels challenged in school.

Resolution

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and their son head to Spain without Matilda. Matilda and Miss Honey become a family and never have to think about their horrible families again!

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Make a plot diagram of Matilda.

Make a picture and write a description for the exposition.
Make a picture and write a description for the rising action.
Make a picture and write a description for the climax.
Make a picture and write a description for the falling action.
Make a picture and write a description for the resolution

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-5

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Parts of a Story

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/5/2] Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

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Rubric

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

Sequence of Events Rubric

Create a storyboard that shows a sequence of events. Below each cell, type in a description about the importance of that part of the story.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Events	Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end.	One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information.	Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order.
Images	Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding.	Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect.	The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story.
Descriptions	Descriptions match the images and show the change over time.	Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event.	Descriptions are missing or do not match the images.
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 very difficult to understand.