Activity Overview
A plot diagram helps students keep track of the narrative arc and important moments in a novel. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of Lily's Crossing. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Example Plot Diagram for Lily's Crossing
Exposition: Lily, her dad, and her grandmother live in Queens. Every summer they go to Rockaway Beach for vacation.
Rising Action: Lily’s best friend Margaret moves to Michigan, and her dad gets stationed in Europe.
Climax: Lily meets Albert. She tells Albert that they can swim to the nearby war ships and go to Europe to find his sister, Ruth, and her father.
Falling Action: Lily finds Albert trying to swim by himself to the ships, and is drowning.
Resolution: Lily saves his life and learns how horrible lying is. In time, Lily’s father returns, and Lily is reunited with Albert and Ruth.
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 Lily’s Crossing.
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 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. |
Activity Overview
A plot diagram helps students keep track of the narrative arc and important moments in a novel. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of Lily's Crossing. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Example Plot Diagram for Lily's Crossing
Exposition: Lily, her dad, and her grandmother live in Queens. Every summer they go to Rockaway Beach for vacation.
Rising Action: Lily’s best friend Margaret moves to Michigan, and her dad gets stationed in Europe.
Climax: Lily meets Albert. She tells Albert that they can swim to the nearby war ships and go to Europe to find his sister, Ruth, and her father.
Falling Action: Lily finds Albert trying to swim by himself to the ships, and is drowning.
Resolution: Lily saves his life and learns how horrible lying is. In time, Lily’s father returns, and Lily is reunited with Albert and Ruth.
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 Lily’s Crossing.
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 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. |
How Tos about Lily\'s Crossing Plot Summary
Engage students with creative plot diagram activities
Use hands-on projects or digital tools to help students visualize story structure. This increases engagement and deepens their understanding of key plot points.
Introduce the plot diagram with a class read-aloud
Begin by reading the first chapter of Lily's Crossing together. Pause to highlight how the story is set up, showing students where exposition fits in a plot diagram.
Model how to break the story into plot elements
Demonstrate by mapping out the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution on the board. Use short examples from the text so students see how each part builds the narrative.
Guide students to collaborate on scene illustrations
Assign small groups to sketch or digitally create images for each plot stage. Encourage creativity while making sure each group focuses on a specific story event.
Facilitate sharing and class discussion of diagrams
Have groups present their visuals and explanations. Use questions to prompt reflection on how events connect, helping students deepen comprehension of story structure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lily\'s Crossing Plot Summary
What is a plot diagram for Lily's Crossing?
A plot diagram for Lily's Crossing visually outlines the main events of the novel, showing the story’s structure from exposition and rising action through climax, falling action, and resolution. It helps students understand how the narrative develops and changes.
How can I teach Lily's Crossing plot structure to 4th–6th graders?
To teach Lily's Crossing plot structure, have students break the story into key moments: title, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Let them create scenes and write brief descriptions for each part to reinforce comprehension and sequencing skills.
What are the main events in Lily's Crossing's plot diagram?
The main events are: Lily's family background (exposition), her friend leaving and her dad going to Europe (rising action), meeting Albert and the plan to find his sister (climax), saving Albert (falling action), and reuniting with loved ones (resolution).
Why is making a plot diagram helpful for understanding Lily's Crossing?
Creating a plot diagram helps students visually track major events, see how the story builds to its climax, and understand character decisions and growth, making the novel’s themes and structure clearer.
What are some tips for creating a visual plot diagram for a novel?
Use simple images or drawings for each plot stage, add brief captions, and choose moments that show big changes or turning points. Make sure each part—exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution—is clearly labeled and described.
More Storyboard That Activities
Lily's Crossing
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
