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 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, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Victor, a seventh grader living in Fresno, CA, arrives for his first day of school. He is excited to see Teresa, a girl he likes and hopes to impress.
Throughout the day, Victor talks to his friend Michael and attends his new classes. All day, he is distracted by the thought of seeing Teresa in French class. When French class finally arrives, Victor rashly claims that he can speak French and ends up speaking gibberish when his teacher asks for a demonstration. Victor feels humiliated in front of Teresa.
Victor’s agony comes to a head when he and Teresa are the last ones left with their teacher, Mr. Bueller. Teresa says she was impressed by Victor’s French, and it is clear she did not realize he had made it up. Victor waits in terror for Mr. Bueller to correct Teresa, but he does not.
Victor tells Teresa he knows just a little French from movies and books. Teresa takes an interest in him and suggests that they study French together.
Victor decides that he likes Mr. Bueller and that seventh grade is going to be a good year.
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Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of "Seventh Grade".
Begin the lesson with a discussion about the components of a story. Introduce the concept of a plot diagram, explaining each part - exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Use the whiteboard to draw and label a plot diagram, providing a clear visual reference for the students.
Proceed by distributing copies of the story "Seventh Grade." Read the story together as a class, pausing at strategic points to identify and discuss how different sections of the story fit into the introduced plot diagram. This step helps students connect theoretical knowledge with a practical example.
Divide the class into small groups and provide them with plot diagram templates. Each group works on filling out the plot diagram for "Seventh Grade," pinpointing the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Encourage the groups to use direct quotes from the story and draw scenes to visually represent different parts of the plot. This activity fosters collaborative learning and deepens their understanding of the story's structure.
Have each group present their plot diagram to the rest of the class. This step should be interactive, with other students asking questions or offering insights during the presentations. Conclude the lesson with a class discussion about how "Seventh Grade" adheres to the typical plot structure and what aspects make its plot captivating and relatable to the students.
Gary Soto skillfully employs foreshadowing in the exposition and rising action of "Seventh Grade" to hint at later developments in the story. In the exposition, Victor's nervousness and excitement about starting the seventh grade, coupled with his keen interest in Teresa, subtly set the stage for his subsequent actions. The rising action further builds on this by showing Victor's attempts to impress Teresa, such as when he scowls in a way he thinks is reminiscent of a movie star. These early behaviors and decisions foreshadow the pivotal French class scene, where Victor's efforts to appear sophisticated reach a climax. The use of foreshadowing in these sections not only enhances the narrative tension but also provides insight into Victor's character and his adolescent struggles, leading to a richer understanding of the story.
In "Seventh Grade," secondary characters play significant roles in advancing the plot and deepening the main themes. Characters like Teresa and Mr. Bueller are instrumental in shaping Victor's experiences and decisions. Teresa, as Victor's crush, is the primary motivation behind many of his actions. Her presence in the story drives Victor to go to great lengths to impress her, which is a central element of the plot. Mr. Bueller, the French teacher, serves as a catalyst in the story's climax. His interaction with Victor in the French class, where Victor pretends to know French, brings the main conflict to a head. These secondary characters are crucial in developing the plot and highlighting the themes of adolescence, identity, and the importance of being true to oneself.
The plot structure of "Seventh Grade" can be considered traditional, as it follows the classic narrative arc of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The story begins by setting the scene and introducing characters in the exposition, followed by the rising action where Victor's efforts to impress Teresa escalate. The climax occurs in the French class, a turning point that shifts the story's direction. This is followed by the falling action, where Victor reflects on his actions, and the resolution ties up the story with Victor’s realization about honesty and being oneself. This traditional plot structure is effective in delivering a clear, focused narrative, making the story accessible and engaging, particularly for its young adult audience.