Activity 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.
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 book in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Example Stuart Little Plot Diagram
Exposition
Stuart is a mouse born to a caring human family. Even though he is very different from the rest of his family, he uses his size to his advantage. He helps find his mother’s mother’s ring down a drain.
Conflict
Snowbell, the cat, causes trouble for Stuart. When Stuart gets stuck in a window shade, he places Stuart's hat and cane at a mouse hole. The Littles were very upset to find that Stuart had left. Luckily, George found Stuart before too long.
Rising Action
The Little family adopt a wounded bird named, Margalo. A true friendship is formed between Stuart and Margalo.
Climax
Snowbell's friend Angora threatens the life of Margalo and she flees without telling Stuart. Stuart is very distraught at her departure.
Falling Action
Stuart sets off on a quest in a toy car to find Margalo. He stops in a town called Ames Crossing and meets a girl his own size, Harriet Ames. He invites her on a date, but his plans are ruined and he is inconsolable.
Resolution
He has not yet found his friend Margalo, but he feels confident that he can. Stuart drives north, knowing he is going in the right direction.
Grade Level 2-3
Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)
Type of Assignment Individual or Partner
Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs
Common Core Standards- [ELA-Literacy/RL/3/2] Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/3/5] Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Use This Assignment With My Students", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of Stuart Little.
- Separate the 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.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
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Stuart Little
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