Using picture books to teach plot development and conflict resolution
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=803
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts
In this lesson, students examine story books as an introduction to plot and conflict. After students have a working definition of conflict in literature, they identify the conflict in several children’s books. Then, as a class, students present the conflict from the texts and categorize them into specific groups. Students use this knowledge to devise their own definition of plot development and conflict resolution and then apply what they’ve learned to situations in literature. Working in small groups, students read picture books and find examples of plot conflict and complete a “Conflict Map” graphic organizer. The final activity in the plan challenges students to select a piece of their own narrative writing to revise for stronger plot development. Student self-reflection, peer review, and teacher evaluation are all methods of assessment that can be used in this lesson. Readwritethink provides suggestions for books that can be used, opportunities for student self-reflection, graphic organizers, and resources to assist teacher instruction about plot conflict.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- author's purpose.
- plot.
- conflict.
- sequence.
- resolution.
- lesson and/or message.
- main idea and supporting details.
- cause and effect.
- fact and opinion.
- point of view (author and character).
- author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
Grade 4
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- plot.
- theme.
- main idea and supporting details.
- author's choice of words.
- mood.
- author's use of figurative language.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
Grade 5
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- plot development.
- author's choice of words.
- effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
- tone.
- Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
