Activity Overview
Cinderella is a great book for teaching students beginning-level summaries. Students are often familiar with the tale, but will need to use the details from this version to create a successful summary storyboard. This is a great stepping stone to summarizing lengthier chapter books. The storyboard format will help students practice being concise and will enable them to think critically about the importance of certain events.
Consider having students plan their storyboard using a blank template prior to creating the full storyboard online. Students should begin with the narrative in each box before adding character dialogue. This will allow them to focus on the purpose of summarizing and determining importance before getting distracted by the details of the storyboard. Students can also be given a set number of frames to use as a guide towards conciseness. After planning on a template, students can compare the important events they chose with a partner, and the class could discuss why different events in the story were included in the storyboard over others.
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
Make a storyboard summary of Cinderella.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the beginning of the story.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the middle of the story.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the end of the story.
- Write a sentence under each picture.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| 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 very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Cinderella is a great book for teaching students beginning-level summaries. Students are often familiar with the tale, but will need to use the details from this version to create a successful summary storyboard. This is a great stepping stone to summarizing lengthier chapter books. The storyboard format will help students practice being concise and will enable them to think critically about the importance of certain events.
Consider having students plan their storyboard using a blank template prior to creating the full storyboard online. Students should begin with the narrative in each box before adding character dialogue. This will allow them to focus on the purpose of summarizing and determining importance before getting distracted by the details of the storyboard. Students can also be given a set number of frames to use as a guide towards conciseness. After planning on a template, students can compare the important events they chose with a partner, and the class could discuss why different events in the story were included in the storyboard over others.
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
Make a storyboard summary of Cinderella.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the beginning of the story.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the middle of the story.
- Make pictures that show two main events from the end of the story.
- Write a sentence under each picture.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| 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 very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Cinderella BME Summarization Activity
Organize a classroom discussion on summarizing Cinderella
Lead students in a guided conversation about the key events in Cinderella. Help them verbalize their thinking before creating storyboards, building confidence and deeper understanding.
Create an anchor chart highlighting beginning, middle, and end story elements
Work together to list examples of typical events that occur at each story section. Display the chart so students can reference it while summarizing, reinforcing story structure awareness.
Model how to identify the most important events
Demonstrate by thinking aloud and selecting which events are essential for the summary. Explain your reasoning so students learn to choose key details over minor ones.
Guide students to use sentence frames for concise summaries
Provide simple sentence starters for each storyboard box, like "At the beginning, Cinderella...". Support students in writing short, clear statements under each picture.
Facilitate peer feedback using a checklist
Give students a clear rubric to review each other's storyboards, focusing on inclusion of major events and clarity. Encourage constructive feedback to improve summarization skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cinderella BME Summarization Activity
What is the Cinderella BME summarization activity?
The Cinderella BME summarization activity is a lesson where students create a storyboard summarizing the Beginning, Middle, and End of the Cinderella story. Students illustrate main events for each section and write sentences to practice concise summarizing skills.
How do you teach students to summarize a story using a storyboard?
Begin by providing a blank storyboard template. Have students plan the main events for the beginning, middle, and end, draw relevant pictures, and write a brief sentence under each. This visual approach helps students identify key events and practice concise storytelling.
Why is Cinderella a good book for teaching story summaries?
Cinderella is familiar to most students, making it easier for them to focus on identifying important events and practicing summarization without being distracted by unfamiliar content.
What are some tips for helping students focus on important events in a story?
Encourage students to use a set number of storyboard frames, plan their story before adding details, and compare their choices with partners. Class discussions on event selection can also deepen critical thinking about story importance.
What grade levels is the Cinderella BME activity best suited for?
The Cinderella BME summarization activity is recommended for grades 2–3, supporting developing readers as they learn to identify and summarize key parts of a story.
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