Activity Overview
An exceptional way to help your students follow a story is to have them track the important details. This helps students develop a greater understanding of how the events fit together to provide the overall structure of the story. A beginning, middle, end plot summary is perfect for students to practice identifying the elements of a story.
While this activity provides an example for a BME summary of The Little Prince, the activity can be further customized if you want students to use a different plot structure. Check out our resources on plot diagrams and narrative structure templates for additional information!
Example The Little Prince Summary
Beginning
The aviator lands in the Sahara desert and meets the little prince.
Middle
Readers learn of the little prince's background and his travels from his planet to earth.
End
Readers realize how the two main characters have changed through their experiences.
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 The Little Prince.
- Make a picture that shows the beginning of the story.
- Make a picture that shows the middle of the story.
- Make a picture that shows 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
An exceptional way to help your students follow a story is to have them track the important details. This helps students develop a greater understanding of how the events fit together to provide the overall structure of the story. A beginning, middle, end plot summary is perfect for students to practice identifying the elements of a story.
While this activity provides an example for a BME summary of The Little Prince, the activity can be further customized if you want students to use a different plot structure. Check out our resources on plot diagrams and narrative structure templates for additional information!
Example The Little Prince Summary
Beginning
The aviator lands in the Sahara desert and meets the little prince.
Middle
Readers learn of the little prince's background and his travels from his planet to earth.
End
Readers realize how the two main characters have changed through their experiences.
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 The Little Prince.
- Make a picture that shows the beginning of the story.
- Make a picture that shows the middle of the story.
- Make a picture that shows 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 The Little Prince Summary
Guide students to retell The Little Prince in their own words
Encouraging students to retell the story helps them internalize plot structure and develop comprehension skills. Letting students use their own words also boosts confidence and ownership of learning.
Break the story into manageable sections
Dividing the book into short, distinct segments makes it easier for students to process and remember details. Use chapter breaks or main events as natural stopping points for discussion.
Model retelling with think-alouds
Demonstrate how to summarize a story by thinking out loud as you retell a section. Point out how you pick key events and leave out less important details. This sets clear expectations for students.
Use graphic organizers to support retelling
Provide students with simple organizers like story maps or sequence charts. Visual aids help students structure their retellings logically and keep track of essential elements.
Encourage creative retelling methods
Allow students to retell the story through drawing, acting, or digital tools. Creative approaches engage different learning styles and make the activity more memorable and fun.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Little Prince Summary
What is a simple summary of The Little Prince for students?
The Little Prince tells the story of an aviator who crashes in the Sahara desert and meets a mysterious boy from another planet. Through their conversations, readers learn about the prince's adventures and the lessons they both discover about friendship, love, and growing up.
How can I teach The Little Prince using a beginning, middle, end summary?
To teach The Little Prince with a BME summary, have students identify key events from the start (the aviator meets the prince), the middle (the prince's background and journey), and the end (how both characters change). Encourage students to illustrate each part and write a sentence explaining it.
What is the best way to help students track story elements in The Little Prince?
Use a storyboard or plot diagram where students can draw scenes and write brief descriptions for the beginning, middle, and end. This visual approach helps students better understand the story's structure and key details.
Are there templates or resources for summarizing The Little Prince?
Yes, there are plot diagram templates and narrative structure worksheets available online. These resources guide students in organizing their thoughts and summarizing stories like The Little Prince effectively.
What grade level is appropriate for a The Little Prince summary activity?
This summary activity is best suited for 4th and 5th grade students. It's designed to help them understand story structure and practice summarizing with moderate difficulty.
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