Activity Overview
A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. 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 novel with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the novel in the sequence using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Example Plot Diagram for The Pearl
Exposition
The story opens in a remote seaside village where a young family of three live: Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito. Although they are poor, the family lives a relatively happy life.
Conflict
One day Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion and Kino and Juana do not have the money for treatment. So, Kino goes out in the ocean in search of a pearl.
Rising Action
At home Juana prays that her husband will find a pearl bigger than any other and her prayers are answered. Kino finds such a large pearl that it attracts attention from all the villagers. After Coyotito is cured, Juana and Kino end up fighting off thieves, robbers, and themselves when the greed and lust for the pearl become unbearable.
Climax
The two inevitably decide they must leave. Juana decides to go home to gather their belongings while Kino goes to ready the canoe. However, they are each met with disaster: Kino finds the canoe destroyed and Juana finds the house has been set on fire. Narrowly escaping, the family hides at Juan Tomas's house until it is safe to leave for the capital to sell the pearl.
Falling Action
The family leaves to travel up the mountain to get to the capital city. Kino realizes that they are being followed and he tries to create diversions for the trackers in the form of false trails. When he finally finds the trackers he attempts to attack them. Yet, at the same moment both Coyotito and a gunshot are heard. After Kino kills the trackers and rushes back to the cave, he finds that his son has been shot.
Resolution
Carrying their dead child, they emerge from the mountain back at their village, where the community silently looks on. Kino then takes the pearl and throws it as hard as he can back into the ocean.
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 Pearl.
- 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.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
How To Conduct a Discussion on the Conflict Present in The Pearl
Introduce Conflicts
Introduce students to the concept of conflicts and their significance and contribution to the story. Teachers can first give some general examples from everyday life to introduce this idea and then move towards more literary examples from stories and books students are familiar with.
Discuss and Identify Types
Discuss with students the different types of conflicts. Initially, explain internal and external conflicts and then move towards more advanced forms such as character vs society or character vs nature. Once students are clear on the concept help them identify the different types of conflicts present in the story. For example, we can see external conflicts on many occasions such as Kino beating Juana when she tries to take away the pearl from him.
Discuss the Lessons
Ask the students to consider the lessons they can learn from the conflicts in "The Pearl" as you draw the topic to a close. For instance, "What can we learn from this story about human nature and the effects of material wealth?" Teachers can ask more questions about the conflict to make the story relatable and sort of experiential learning.
Talk About “Why”
Encourage the students to think about the causes of these disputes. Discussions on the following topics may include themes of Greed and Envy and asking questions such as “How does the pearl highlight these unfavorable characteristics in people?” Ask the students to focus on the “Why” aspect of the conflict and how this specific conflict contributes to the overall narrative.
Connect Conflicts and Resolution
Talk about how the conflicts are resolved at the end. It is not necessary for all stories to have happy endings or all resolutions to be positive. Discuss with the students their thoughts and perspectives on the ending of the story and if according to them all conflicts were resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Pearl Plot Diagram and Summary
How can the students describe the rising action in the story?
In the rising action, Kino finds a big, priceless pearl while diving for oysters. When the locals show interest, Kino begins to see a brighter future for his family. These events lead to many conflicts which ultimately highlight the theme of the story and help the readers understand the intended lesson.
How can the students understand the development of the conflict in the story?
As the villagers and others get more and more avaricious and attempt to steal Kino's pearl, the issue worsens and the characters have to deal with the consequences of their own actions. Students can reflect on the sequence of the events and relate it will the development of the characters and the narrative.
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