In grades 6-8, retelling or summarizing is a skill that needs to be practiced and refined with a variety of genres, and with books of different lengths. As students begin to explore various genres and lengths of works, it can become more challenging for students to evaluate what is most important. For this reason, students need to determine the importance of events in the plot in order to synthesize storylines.
Creating a Storyboard for retelling "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" will challenge students to decide what is essential. Similar to a "Five Finger Retell" or the “Plot Diagram”, students need to think critically about the events in order. With the Storyboard Creator, students will have the option and opportunity to explain and explore the characters in the plot with depth and accuracy.
As a lesson, consider having students plan their storyboard with a blank template prior to creating the full storyboard online. Students should begin with the retold narrative in each box before adding character dialogue. This will allow them to focus on the purpose of retelling, without getting distracted by the details of the storyboard.
After students create their retelling storyboards, they can print and cut them out, then have a partner try to put the events in order!
(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 The Treasure of Lemon Brown.
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)
Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group
Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs
Common Core Standards
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
