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 story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Example The Phantom Tollbooth Plot Diagram
Exposition
Milo is uninterested with both school and home life. He is in his room complaining about boredom, when he notices a package in the corner of the room.
Conflict
Rhyme and Reason have been locked away because of the two dueling brothers, King Azaz and Mathemagician.
Rising Action
Milo experiences The Lands Beyond, and all of its mysterious and peculiar characters, laws, and discourse, including the boy who grows down instead of up.
Climax
Milo, Tock, and Humbug are chased by demons attempting to stop them from rescuing the princesses.
Falling Action
The princesses are rescued. Milo, Tock, and Humbug are congratulated by the kings and all of the people on their brave victory.
Resolution
Milo finally realizes he could experience adventure in his life, even in his own bedroom.
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 Phantom Tollbooth.
- 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
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/6/3] Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/6/5] Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Creative Elements | Creativity and imagery are used effectively (helps to tell the story). At least three Textables are included in plot diagram. | Creative elements (clipart) are somewhat distracting. At least two Textables throughout their plot diagram. | Creativity is minimally apparent, and the overall design shows a lack of effort. Clipart may be confusing and distract from the story. Student used one or fewer Textables. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling within the Textables is mostly correct (fewer than eight errors). Grammar does not hinder understanding. | Spelling within textables is somewhat correct (fewer than 10 errors). Grammar may hinder some understanding or make reading difficult. | Spelling is mostly incorrect (10 or more errors). Grammar severely hinders understanding. |
| Plot Elements | There are three complete slides: one for beginning, one for the middle, and one for the end. Slides explain the work of prose and are easy to follow. | There are three cells, but one or two do not depict the correct element within the work of prose (e.g. the beginning is misplaced). Story is somewhat difficult to follow. | One or more cells is missing. Only one part of the plot is represented (e.g. only the beginning). Story is hard to follow. |
How To Help Students Create a Plot Diagram for “The Phantom Tollbooth” Using StoryboardThat
Introduce Elements of the Plot Diagram
Make sure students have a solid grasp of the fundamental components of a storyline before assigning them to use StoryboardThat. Talk about ideas like resolution, falling action, climax, rising action, and exposition. Use another story as an example and help students distinguish between each plot element and tell them how to identify these elements in a narrative.
Provide a Demonstration
Before students start creating their own storyboards, teachers can provide a demonstration of all the basic steps such as how to access a template or how to insert images and text so all the students become familiar with the basic process. Teachers can also provide students with a sample storyboard of some other story so students can use it as an example and seek guidance from it.
Examine the Narrative
Students should be encouraged to read or reread "The Phantom Tollbooth" in order to recognize important plot points. Talk about the main plot points and how the story is told as a whole. Students can divide the sections of the story into plot elements beforehand and even summarize the main sections so they only have to put in the text later on.
View Storyboard That
In case your educational institution or class does not already have accounts, ask your students to register for StoryboardThat. Help the students select a layout that is appropriate for a plot diagram. Generally, a three- or six-cell arrangement will function effectively. Once the students are done with this, they can enter their text and any images they think best suit their text.
Present and Share
Once the students are done with their storyboards, teachers can help them save their work. Students can share their storyboards with the rest of the class for a discussion in an online format or print them out to display in class. Guide the students throughout the saving and printing process so they can also use it as a reference later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plot Diagram of “The Phantom Tollbooth”
Which aspects of the narrative are included in the exposition for the plot diagram?
The setting (the real world and the magical kingdoms beyond the tollbooth), the primary characters (like Milo), and the initial circumstance (Milo's boredom and lack of interest in anything) are all introduced in the exposition.
How can students use the plot diagram of the story to depict symbolism?
The storyboard depicts symbolism in a visual manner. Students can use language and graphics to explain the symbolic meaning of the tollbooth, for example, in the relevant plot diagram parts. It could also represent Milo's journey toward self-discovery.
More Storyboard That Activities
Phantom Tollbooth, The
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