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.
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.
Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas to stay with Pastor Shady while her father, Gideon, goes off to work on the railroad.
The people of Manifest seem to carry secrets with them and won’t tell her much about her father’s past in Manifest. They seem to hint that her father might not be coming back for her.
As Abilene gets to know the people of Manifest, she finds more questions than answers. With her new friends Lettie and Ruthanne, she attempts to solve the mystery of the Rattler, a box of trinkets, and her father's disappearance. Miss Sadie, a strange Hungarian woman, tells her about two boys, Jinx and Ned, who lived in Manifest in 1917. As Abilene learns more of their story, she becomes caught up in the past, convinced that it will help her understand her present.
Miss Sadie's story ends when she reveals that Ned died fighting in WWI, causing a broken-hearted Jinx to run away from Manifest. All the hopes and dreams of the Manifest residents came crashing down with the death toll of the war and the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1918.
Abilene's sleuthing causes the people of Manifest to open up about the past, bringing them healing. As they talk, the last of the book’s mysteries unravel. Abilene realizes that Miss Sadie is Ned's mother. She also learns that Jinx is her father and his fear of jinxing her, like he jinxed Ned, has caused him to leave. Abilene sends him a telegram saying that she is dying to lure him back.
Gideon returns to Manifest, and he and Abilene begin to put down roots. The townspeople come together again and decide to revive old friendships and traditions. Abilene, Gideon, and their neighbors hope to learn from the past and work toward a bright future.
(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 Moon Over Manifest.
Encourage students to act out key scenes from each plot stage. Assign roles for characters and have groups perform short skits for Exposition, Conflict, and so on. This helps students internalize story structure and connect emotionally to characters.
Ask students to identify the most important event in each section of the plot. Prompt them with questions like “What changes for the main character here?” to help them choose scenes that drive the story forward.
Provide options for students to sketch scenes on paper or use digital tools if available. Emphasize clarity over artistic skill, focusing on key actions and emotions. This boosts engagement and aids comprehension.
After students create their diagrams, organize small group feedback sessions. Encourage positive, specific comments on each other’s choices of scenes and explanations. This helps students refine their understanding and presentation.
A plot diagram for Moon Over Manifest visually breaks down the novel’s structure into six key elements: exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This helps students understand the story's major events and literary structure.
To teach the plot of Moon Over Manifest with a storyboard, have students create a six-cell visual diagram, assigning each cell to a part of the plot (exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) and illustrating key moments for each.
The major plot points in Moon Over Manifest are: Abilene's arrival in Manifest (exposition), the town’s secrets (conflict), Abilene's investigation (rising action), the revelation about Ned and Jinx (climax), the town opening up (falling action), and Gideon’s return (resolution).
A plot diagram activity helps students visually organize a story’s structure, reinforcing comprehension, sequencing skills, and understanding of literary elements, making literature more accessible and engaging for K–12 learners.
Use clear visuals for each plot part, encourage students to summarize key events concisely, and let them work individually or in groups. Discuss the story sequence together to ensure understanding and engagement.