Plot Maps

Grade Level:

8th

Subject:

English/Language Arts

Prepared By:

Courtney Cade

Overview & Purpose

Education Standards Addressed

Students will know the elements of plot, and they will learn how to analyze the plot of
a given text. This lesson will help students understand the importance of plot and how
it can help them understand and comprehend the novel, The Five People You Meet in
Heaven.

Standard 8: Analyze characters, settings, events,

and ideas as they develop and interact within a
particular context.
8.1 Analyze how dialogue and/or incidents propel the
action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a
decision; determine the impact of contextual influences
on setting, plot and characters.

Essential Question- What are literary strategies I can use to help me comprehend the
novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven?

Objectives
(Specify skills/information that will
be learned.)

I will introduce the elements of plot and

why it is important for the structure of
any text.
I will guide the students in making a plot
map that will help them follow the plot of
The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Teacher Guide

Students will be able to identify the

different elements of plot.
Students will be able to identify the
sequence of Plot.
Students will be able to use their Plot
Map to analyze any text. (The Five
People You Meet in Heaven.
Student Guide

Materials Needed
Paper
Pencil
Construction Paper
Markers

Information
(Give and/or demonstrate necessary
information)

Students will take Cornell notes.

I will introduce the elements of Plot.
(Setting, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax,
Falling Action, Resolution) via
PowerPoint.

Students will make their own Plot Map.

I will guide the students in making a Plot

Map, so they can identify the sequence
of Plot.
Verification
(Steps to check for student
understanding)

Activity
(Describe the independent activity to
reinforce this lesson)

This is an interactive review. I will ask

questions and give examples that
students must answer and discuss.

Students will answer and discuss the

questions about the sequence and
structure of Plot.

I will give the students a warm up

activity to complete at the beginning of
class. This activity requires the students
to identify the conflict and resolution of a
short story. (10-15 minutes)

Students will use their chrome book to

complete the warm up.

I will complete a mini lesson on the

elements of plot and the sequence of
plot. (20 min)
I will guide the students in making Plot
Maps with different colored construction
paper to help them understand the
sequence of plot. (20- 25 min)

Other Resources
(e.g. Web, books, etc.)

Students will write Cornell notes, and

they will answer and discuss any
questions.
Students will create their Plot Map. Their
Plot Map must include all elements of
Plot in the correct sequence.
Students will complete exit slip. This will
be formative assessment to assess their
understanding of why Plot is important.

Exit slip Give me 2 sentences

explaining why it is important, as a
reader, to know and understand the
elements and sequence of plot?

Summary

Additional Notes
I will introduce the elements of Plot. I
will guide the students in making Plot
Maps to help them understand the
sequence of plot, and how it helps with
reading comprehension. Students will
learn how the sequence of plot is
important. This lesson will help students
read and comprehend The Five People
You Meet in Heaven.

Students will understand the importance

of the different elements and sequence
of plot. They will understand why it is
important to use this information while
reading The Five People You Meet in
Heaven. Students will activate
knowledge by creating Plot Maps.