Activity Overview
In this activity, students decide on what they think the important parts in the text are, and categorize them into the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Having students decide on the beginning, middle, and end will help them break up the text, and make it easier to choose one or two main events to create. Students can plan their ideas with a partner or individually, and decide what main parts they would like to add to their storyboard.
The storyboard above shows one example for the beginning, middle, and end, but you could set a number of frames for the students to use based on the ability of the student, or length of the text.
Beginning
A young boy looking for work gets hired by a man to go to paint a dozen billboards.
Middle
They work in the desert painting billboards. They only paint one word, ArrowStar, and a lady. The boy wants to paint more, like a mountain or even a cloud, but the man says no. They wonder what ArrowStar is.
End
A man in a white suit had a dream for ArrowStar: a roller coaster. The sign painter says dreams come in all different sizes and asks the boy to stay and continue working with him. The boy declines and goes off chasing his dream of becoming a painter.
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 Sign Painter.
- 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
In this activity, students decide on what they think the important parts in the text are, and categorize them into the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Having students decide on the beginning, middle, and end will help them break up the text, and make it easier to choose one or two main events to create. Students can plan their ideas with a partner or individually, and decide what main parts they would like to add to their storyboard.
The storyboard above shows one example for the beginning, middle, and end, but you could set a number of frames for the students to use based on the ability of the student, or length of the text.
Beginning
A young boy looking for work gets hired by a man to go to paint a dozen billboards.
Middle
They work in the desert painting billboards. They only paint one word, ArrowStar, and a lady. The boy wants to paint more, like a mountain or even a cloud, but the man says no. They wonder what ArrowStar is.
End
A man in a white suit had a dream for ArrowStar: a roller coaster. The sign painter says dreams come in all different sizes and asks the boy to stay and continue working with him. The boy declines and goes off chasing his dream of becoming a painter.
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 Sign Painter.
- 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 Sign Painter Summary
Set Clear Criteria for Identifying Key Events
Clarify what makes an event important in the story. Discuss with students how to spot turning points, character decisions, or changes in setting to help them focus on the most relevant details for their storyboard.
Use Graphic Organizers to Sort Story Parts
Provide students with a simple graphic organizer divided into beginning, middle, and end. This visual aid helps them organize events logically and ensures each section is represented.
Model Thinking Aloud with an Example
Demonstrate how to choose key events by thinking aloud as you read a short passage. Show students how you decide which moments to include in each storyboard frame.
Encourage Peer Discussion and Collaboration
Pair students or form small groups to discuss their choices for main events. Collaborative conversations help students justify their selections and consider different perspectives.
Guide Students to Add Captions that Explain Each Event
Remind students to write clear, concise sentences under each picture. This reinforces comprehension and connects visuals to text.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sign Painter Summary
What is a summary of The Sign Painter by Allen Say?
The Sign Painter by Allen Say is about a young boy hired to paint billboards in the desert. He and his employer only paint the word ArrowStar and a lady. Curious about ArrowStar, they later learn it’s a dream for a roller coaster. In the end, the boy pursues his own dream of becoming a painter.
How can students create a storyboard summary for The Sign Painter?
To create a storyboard summary, students draw a picture for the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Under each picture, they write a sentence explaining that part of the plot. This helps them break down and understand the story’s key events.
What are the main events in The Sign Painter’s beginning, middle, and end?
Beginning: A boy is hired to paint billboards. Middle: He paints ArrowStar signs and wonders about their meaning. End: The boy learns about a dream project and decides to follow his own dream of being a painter.
Why is breaking a story into beginning, middle, and end useful for students?
Breaking a story into beginning, middle, and end makes it easier for students to identify main events, organize their thoughts, and improve their comprehension and retelling skills.
What are some tips for teaching parts of a story using The Sign Painter?
Tips: Use storyboards to help students visualize events, encourage partner planning, adjust the number of frames for ability, and have students write sentences for each part. This scaffolds understanding of story structure and main ideas.
More Storyboard That Activities
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