CLASSROOM LESSON 1:
Elements of Plot

BOOK TITLE: The Reality Bug
AUTHOR: D.J. MacHale
LESSON PLAN AUTHOR : Jeff Sudbury

GRADE LEVEL: 6-8
LESSON DURATION: Two 60 Minute Sessions

OBJECTIVE

• Students will review the characteristics of the literary element of plot.

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of plot structure by applying the term in familiar contexts. 

• Use a plot diagraph graphic organizer to present their analysis of plot structure.

MATERIALS

• Plot Diagram Interactive

• Plot PowerPoint Presentation: Download PPT

• Plot Diagram Graphic Organizer: Download PDF

• Download Plot PowerPoint Presentation to you computer to display on LCD project.  If not available make transparencies for overhead.

MOTIVATION

• Students choose a significant event in the story and participate in a Think Pair Share.  First, select and think about an event.  What happens?  Why is the event important or significant?  What do you predict will happen next? Share your thoughts with a partner.  Next, share with the class.

NEW INFORMATION

• Explain to students that today we are going to be analyzing the literary element of plot of the book Pendragon:  The Reality Bug.

• Introduce students to plot structure, using the Plot PowerPoint Presentation.  Alternately, display overheads or pass out handouts to accompany the presentation. 

• Explain each slide to students:  plot structure, Freytag’s Pyramid, modified Freytag, and plot structure components. 
  • Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story.  It shows the sequence of events and actions within a story
  • Exposition:  The beginning of the story.  How things are before the action starts
  • Rising Action:  The series of conflicts in the story that lead to the climax
  • Climax:  The turning point in the book that is the most intense moment. 
  • Falling Action:  The action that follows the climax.
  • Resolution:  The conclusion of the story.  Everything gets tied together

• Explain to students that plot structure is used for more than just the literature that they read in class.  It is used in oral storytelling, television, movies, and more. 

• As a class, brainstorm the significant events in Reality Bug.  Write down suggestions on the board as students respond. 

• Discuss the difference between significant events and the other events in the story. 

• Demonstrate to the students how to use the Plot Diagram Interactive, using a few events that were discussed from the brainstorm list. 

• Answer any questions that the students have about this process. 

PRACTICE/APPLICATION

• Arrange students in small groups, and ask each group to chart the course of the story, using the Plot Diagram Graphic Organizer.  If computers are not available, students can draw pyramids on chart paper. 

• Next, to guide discussion with groups, share key questions that they must discuss for completing the Exposition, Climax, and Resolution portion of the Plot Diagram Interactive.  Have students write down ideas for these discussion questions:
  • What do you learn in the exposition of the story? 
  • What events cause the action to begin to “rise”?
  • Describe the significance of each event.

• Remind students that they need to have evidence from the book to support their ideas and thoughts.

• As students continue to read the story, they describe the climax and events included in the falling action of the story and the conflict resolution. 
  • Where does the story peak?  Is there a clear climax?
  • Which events lead up to the conclusion?
  • How is the story resolved?

EVALUATION OF STUDENT LEARNING

• Students transfer information from the complete Plot Diagram Handout to the Plot Diagram Interactive.  

• Students print final drafts.

CLOSURE

• Have each group share their results from their interactive organizer.  Have them review the similarities and differences of each group.

• Review with students the literary characteristics of plot:  exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

NCTE STANDARD 2

Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience. 

NCTE STANDARD 6

Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.

SOURCES

Gardner, T. (n.d.).  Plot Structure: A Literary Elements Mini-Lesson. Retrieved March 28, 2008 from, Website

Plot diagram interactive