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Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Summary

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Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Rubric

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 short story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Example "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Plot Diagram

Exposition

Rikki-tikki, a mongoose, is swept from his burrow by a flood and is rescued by Teddy. Teddy’s father, the Englishman, says mongooses are not only safe to have in a house, but excellent protectors against the deadly snakes in the area. The family adopts Rikki-tikki.

Conflict

There are two deadly cobras, Nag and Nagaina, who threaten the safety of the garden. Rikki-tikki decides he will kill the cobras, but first, he kills another deadly snake. It is his first kill, and the Englishman and his wife are impressed. He is hailed a hero. This only makes Rikki-tikki want to kill Nag and Nagaina more. He feels responsible for the safety of the family and the garden animals.

Rising Action

Nag decides to sneak into the house to kill the humans. He falls asleep in the bathroom while he waits for the humans to wake up. Rikki-tikki realizes he is there and attacks. The mongoose wins a terrible battle against the cobra. In the morning, the Englishman again hails Rikki-tikki a hero, chops Nag in half, and throws the snake on the trash pile.

Climax

Nagaina, thinking the man killed her husband, tries to kill the human family. Darzee’s wife fakes a broken wing, making a racket to distract Nagaina, who has cornered the entire family on the porch. Nagaina, unable to resist an easy kill, begins to chase the bird. With the snake occupied, the family escapes, and Rikki-tikki kills the unhatched cobras. He smashes all but one of the eggs, but realizes that Nagaina is preparing to bite Teddy.

Falling Action

Rikki-tikki brings the last egg and taunting Nagaina. She begs for her baby back. Rikki-tikki knows that if he does not kill Nagaina, neither the family, nor the garden animals will ever be safe. He attacks and chases her into her underground den. Darzee sings a sad song, for nothing can beat a cobra in its own den. But Rikki-tikki emerges victorious, announcing that he has killed Nagaina.

Resolution

The family and animals rejoice. Rikki-tikki eats a huge celebration meal with the family, and settles down as the proud protector of his human family and garden-animal friends.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a visual plot diagram of "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi".

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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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs

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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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