Activity Overview
Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn 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. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in Dragonwings. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Dragonwings has many different subplots, so students may interpret these parts very differently. The example given is just one way to interpret the plot.
Example Plot Diagram for Dragonwings
Exposition: It is the early 1900s, and Moon Shadow, a young boy of just 7 years old, goes to live with his father, who he hasn’t met, in America. As Chinese immigrants in San Francisco, Moon Shadow, his father, and their extended family face many challenges while trying to run a successful laundromat.
Rising Action: The devastating San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 hits the area and there is massive destruction.
Climax: Windrider completes his airplane and everyone shows up to help him push it up the hill and watch him fly.
Falling Action: After a few minutes of flight, the plane crashes, leaving Windrider with some broken bones, but a joyful heart.
Resolution: The Company makes Windrider a partner in the business so that he can bring his wife over to America.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of Dragonwings.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Separate the story into the Title, Exposition, 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 using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples in the plot diagram.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Cells include images that help to tell the story and do not get in the way of understanding. Descriptions match the images. | Descriptions do not always match the images. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Plot | Each of the six cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | Two cells or fewer are out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or three or more cells are out of order. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn 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. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in Dragonwings. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Dragonwings has many different subplots, so students may interpret these parts very differently. The example given is just one way to interpret the plot.
Example Plot Diagram for Dragonwings
Exposition: It is the early 1900s, and Moon Shadow, a young boy of just 7 years old, goes to live with his father, who he hasn’t met, in America. As Chinese immigrants in San Francisco, Moon Shadow, his father, and their extended family face many challenges while trying to run a successful laundromat.
Rising Action: The devastating San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 hits the area and there is massive destruction.
Climax: Windrider completes his airplane and everyone shows up to help him push it up the hill and watch him fly.
Falling Action: After a few minutes of flight, the plane crashes, leaving Windrider with some broken bones, but a joyful heart.
Resolution: The Company makes Windrider a partner in the business so that he can bring his wife over to America.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of Dragonwings.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Separate the story into the Title, Exposition, 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 using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples in the plot diagram.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Cells include images that help to tell the story and do not get in the way of understanding. Descriptions match the images. | Descriptions do not always match the images. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Plot | Each of the six cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | Two cells or fewer are out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or three or more cells are out of order. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
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Dragonwings
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