Plot diagrams are one of the most underutilized graphic organizers (in my humble opinion). In case you aren't familiar with plot diagrams OR story maps, they are graphic organizers that help students outline the flow of a story.
There are two basic versions of plot diagrams-the more primary version called a "story map" and the more advanced plot diagram. Both versions essentially do the same thing. They help students map out the movement of a story from beginning to end; however, plot diagrams are more detailed and often include additional information indicative of a longer, more complex stories or chapter books.
TEACHING NARRATIVE STORY STRUCTURE WITH STORY MAPS & PLOT DIAGRAMS
Teaching story structure with story maps and plot diagrams makes introducing or expanding on story elements so much easier! There are so many mini-lessons to be taught through either one of these graphic organizers that you can LITERALLY have a week or more worth of meaningful and engaging lessons that set students up for success now as well as in the future.
STORY MAP MINI-LESSONS (PRIMARY-LEVEL STUDENTS)
For reading:
Text features
Characters
Setting
Event order
Climax
Identifying key vocabulary
For writing:
Brainstorming
Characters in "your" story
Setting in "your" story
Event order in "your" story
Climax in "your" story
Identifying key vocabulary for "your" story & where to find the words that "you" need around the classroom (word wall, personal dictionary, in a mentor text, etc.)
Matching illustrations to "your" story
Using order words
Introduction sentence
Conclusion sentence
Sentence structure
Writing Process (proof-reading, editing, publishing, sharing)
PLOT DIAGRAM MINI-LESSONS (UPPER ELEMENTARY-LEVEL STUDENTS)
For reading:
Text features
Author's craft
Figurative language
Characters; including protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters
Setting; including the different settings where important events take place, the time period/era
Sequence of events and how a single action by a character can effect the trajectory of the entire story
Climax versus resolution
The importance of word choice for setting the tone of the story
Main idea
Theme
Author's purpose
Key events versus transitional (insignificant) events
For writing:
Brainstorming
Character development in "your" story
Setting & tone in "your" story
Event order in "your" story
Climax in "your" story
Identifying and implementing figurative language and author's craft "moves" in "your" story
Using descriptive language to illustrate "your" story in the mind of your reader
Signifying the passing of time WITHOUT using numbered order words (first, second, third, last)
Introduction sequence; including "your" hook
Conclusion; including highlighting the theme for readers
Simple versus complex sentence structure
Using dialogue in "your" story
Writing Process (proof-reading, editing, publishing & sharing using different media)
Omniscient narrator versus first person storytelling
Fictional versus biographical OR autobiographical storytelling
Realistic fiction versus personal narrative storytelling
Hopefully, you get the idea because I could go on and on! And, these are all mini-lessons that can be repeated using many different kinds of narrative texts-dramas/plays, poetry, realistic fictions, biographical/autobiographical, fantasy, fan fiction, and even graphic novel storytelling.
The only thing stopping you is your imagination.
The best thing about graphic organizers (and specifically story maps and plot diagrams) are that they're open-ended. Teach your students how to use them at the beginning of the school year and they'll become evergreen tools for reading and writing that students can use all year long! They are also great scaffolds and guides for students during independent work times when you are unavailable (conferencing with students, teaching small groups lessons, doing 1:1 assessments, etc.)
If you want to grab copies of my FREE Plot Diagrams teacher resource, click here. Inside there are blackline masters of both versions (the story map and the plot diagram), Plot Diagram anchor chart, and teacher exemplars to help you with planning and setting reading and writing expectations for your students.
Happy writing, my friends!
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