Prince and Pauper Plot: Storyboard That's Lesson Plan Guide

Q: What is a plot diagram for The Prince and the Pauper?

A plot diagram for The Prince and the Pauper visually outlines the story's main events, dividing them into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action , and Resolution . This helps students understand the narrative structure and key turning points of Mark Twain's classic novel.

Q: How can I teach The Prince and the Pauper with a storyboard activity?

To teach The Prince and the Pauper with a storyboard, have students create a six-cell storyboard showing each part of the plot diagram. Ask them to draw or select images for Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action , and Resolution , and write short descriptions for each scene. This reinforces comprehension and creative thinking.

Q: Why is using a plot diagram helpful for teaching literature?

Using a plot diagram helps students visualize story structure, identify key events, and understand how conflict and resolution drive the narrative. It supports critical thinking and makes complex stories more approachable for K-12 learners.

Q: What is the difference between the climax and resolution in The Prince and the Pauper?

The climax is when Edward interrupts Tom's coronation to prove his identity as king. The resolution follows, showing Edward crowned as king, rewarding his friends, and working to make the laws fairer, reflecting the lessons he learned living as a pauper.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

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.

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.

Example The Prince and the Pauper Plot Diagram

Exposition

Young Tom Canty lives with his mother, sisters, and abusive father in Offal Court, a poverty-stricken London neighborhood. Tom faces hunger, cold, and beatings every day, but dreams of life as a prince. Just a few miles away, young Prince Edward Tudor lives in the palace with his father, King Henry VIII. The same age as Tom Canty, Edward’s life is entirely different: he is wealthy, spoiled, and powerful.

Conflict

Prince Edward meets Tom at the palace gates and shows him kindness after a guard beats him. Inside the palace, Tom and Edward trade stories and swap clothes, noticing their identical appearances as they do so. When Edward leaves the palace in Tom’s clothing, the guards do not let him back in, and Tom and Edward get stuck living each other’s lives.

Rising Action

Both boys struggle to adapt to their new lives. Though they each protest that they are not who they appear to be, no one believes them. Gradually, Tom comes to enjoy life as a prince and uses his power to change unjust laws. Edward detests life with John Canty and faces poverty, pain, and death at every turn. He survives his trials only with the help of a kind-hearted noble, Miles Hendon.

Climax

Edward escapes his enemies and appears at Tom’s coronation just in the nick of time. Tom is about to be crowned king in Westminster Abbey when Edward walks up the aisle and declares he is king. When Tom agrees with him, the onlookers and royal representatives are bewildered.

Falling Action

The Lord Protector questions the boys to determine who is the true king. When he asks for the location of the long-missing Great Royal Seal, Edward identifies its location, proving that the boy in rags is the true King Edward VI.

Resolution

Edward is made king and deals mercifully with his subjects. He rewards Miles and Tom for their service and rights the wrongs he noticed while living as a pauper. His time outside the palace opened his eyes to the injustices of the law, and he works to make life less brutal for his subjects.

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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 The Prince and the Pauper.

Click "Start Assignment".
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.

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Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs

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Student Rubric

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

Plot Diagram Rubric for Middle School

Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Plot Images	Cells include images that convey events in the corresponding stage of the plot. The images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them.	Cells include one or two images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Most images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them.	Cells include three or more images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Images depict minor and inimportant moments or do not reflect the descriptions below them.
Plot Text	The storyboard correctly identifies all six stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells correctly breaks down the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot and includes the most significant events of the book.	The storyboard misidentifies one or two stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells breaks down most of the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot, but may omit some significant events of the book.	The storyboard misidentifies three or more stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells does not correspond to the events of that stage. Overall plot description is not logical.
Spelling and Grammar	Spelling and grammar is exemplary. Text contains few or no mistakes.	Text contains some significant errors in spelling or grammar.	Text contains many errors in spelling or grammar.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Example The Prince and the Pauper Plot Diagram

Exposition

Conflict

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Copy Activity

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 The Prince and the Pauper.

Click "Start Assignment".
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.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

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

Plot Diagram Rubric for Middle School

Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Plot Images	Cells include images that convey events in the corresponding stage of the plot. The images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them.	Cells include one or two images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Most images represent an important moment and exemplify the descriptions below them.	Cells include three or more images that convey events from an incorrect stage of the plot. Images depict minor and inimportant moments or do not reflect the descriptions below them.
Plot Text	The storyboard correctly identifies all six stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells correctly breaks down the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot and includes the most significant events of the book.	The storyboard misidentifies one or two stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells breaks down most of the plot events into appropriate stages. The text gives a logical overview of the plot, but may omit some significant events of the book.	The storyboard misidentifies three or more stages of the plot. The text for each of the six cells does not correspond to the events of that stage. Overall plot description is not logical.
Spelling and Grammar	Spelling and grammar is exemplary. Text contains few or no mistakes.	Text contains some significant errors in spelling or grammar.	Text contains many errors in spelling or grammar.

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How Tos about The Prince and the Pauper Summary

Organize a Class Discussion on Empathy Using The Prince and the Pauper

Foster empathy by connecting students to the characters' experiences in the novel. Empathy-building discussions help students understand different perspectives and deepen reading comprehension.

Choose a Compelling Passage Highlighting Contrasting Experiences

Pick a short excerpt where Tom and Edward face different challenges. Focus on scenes that show their feelings and reactions to poverty or privilege.

Pose Open-Ended Questions to Spark Thoughtful Responses

Ask questions like “How did Tom feel in the palace?” or “What surprised Edward about life outside?” This encourages critical thinking and personal connections to the story.

Encourage Students to Share Personal Reflections

Invite students to relate a time when they felt out of place or misunderstood. Sharing real-life examples helps students develop empathy and connect with the characters.

Summarize Key Insights and Relate Them to Modern Life

Guide students to identify lessons about fairness, kindness, and understanding others’ struggles. Connect these insights to situations they may see in school or their community.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Prince and the Pauper Summary

What is a plot diagram for The Prince and the Pauper?

A plot diagram for The Prince and the Pauper visually outlines the story's main events, dividing them into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students understand the narrative structure and key turning points of Mark Twain's classic novel.

How can I teach The Prince and the Pauper with a storyboard activity?

To teach The Prince and the Pauper with a storyboard, have students create a six-cell storyboard showing each part of the plot diagram. Ask them to draw or select images for Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, and write short descriptions for each scene. This reinforces comprehension and creative thinking.

What are the major events in The Prince and the Pauper plot?

The major events include Tom Canty and Prince Edward swapping places, their struggles to adapt to new lives, Tom enjoying royal power, Edward facing poverty, Edward reclaiming his throne at Tom's coronation, and both boys learning valuable lessons about compassion and justice.

Why is using a plot diagram helpful for teaching literature?

Using a plot diagram helps students visualize story structure, identify key events, and understand how conflict and resolution drive the narrative. It supports critical thinking and makes complex stories more approachable for K-12 learners.

What is the difference between the climax and resolution in The Prince and the Pauper?

The climax is when Edward interrupts Tom's coronation to prove his identity as king. The resolution follows, showing Edward crowned as king, rewarding his friends, and working to make the laws fairer, reflecting the lessons he learned living as a pauper.