5th Grade Plot Elements And Plot Diagram Lesson Plan (Language Arts)

Topic: Character Motivation and Character Traits

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify character motivation and character traits in different movie scenes.
• Students will be able to summarize what they saw using description (5 w’s).
• Students will be able to express their reasoning on why the scene matched the plot element.

Materials

• DVD or YouTube clips with scenes from different movies
• Handouts with definitions and examples of plot elements and plot diagram
• Index cards for writing

Warm-Up

• Show the students a clip from a movie and ask them to pay attention to the characters in the scene.
• After the clip is over, ask the students to answer the following questions:
• Who is the main character in the scene?
• What is the character’s motivation?
• What are some character traits that the character displays in the scene?
• Write down their responses on the board.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of plot elements to the students.
• Name the different plot elements (ex. conflict, rising action, climax, resolution)
• Use examples from the movie clips to demonstrate each plot element.
• Have the students repeat the names of the plot elements after you have introduced them.

Guided Practice -Work in pairs.

• Choose a movie clip and identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Summarize the scene using description (5 w

).

• Express your reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s). Independent Practice
• Choose a movie you have watched recently.
• Identify the plot element(s) present in the movie.
• Summarize the movie using description (5 w).
• Express your reasoning on why the movie matches the plot elements.

Closure:

• Check for understanding by asking students to share their answers with a partner.
• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Assessment
• Ask students to create a plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched, using the steps listed in the lesson.
• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Extension
• Have students work in small groups to create a short presentation to teach classmates about a specific plot element.
• Presentations can include a combination of spoken and written communication. Teacher Guided Practice -Provide an example of a plot diagram and review the steps needed to create one.
• Encourage students to work in pairs and share their plot diagrams with each other.
• Be available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. Independent Practice -Assign a project for students to create their own plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched.
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently.

Closure:

• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Assessment
• Ask students to create a plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched, using the steps listed in the lesson.
• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches

the plot element(s).

• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Extension
• Have students work in small groups to create a short presentation to teach classmates about a specific plot element.
• Presentations can include a combination of spoken and written communication. Teacher Guided Practice -Provide an example of a plot diagram and review the steps needed to create one.
• Encourage students to work in pairs and share their plot diagrams with each other.
• Be available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. Independent Practice -Assign a project for students to create their own plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched.
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently.

Closure:

• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Assessment
• Ask students to create a plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched, using the steps listed in the lesson.
• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Extension
• Have students work in small groups to create a short presentation to teach classmates about a specific plot element.
• Presentations can include a combination of spoken and written communication. Teacher Guided Practice -Provide an example of a plot diagram and review the steps needed to create one.
• Encourage students to work in pairs and share their plot diagrams with each other.
• Be available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed. Independent Practice -Assign a project for students to create their own plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched.
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently.

Closure:

• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Assessment
• Ask students to

create a plot diagram for a movie they have recently watched, using the steps listed in the lesson.

• Check for understanding by presenting a different movie clip and asking students to identify the plot element(s) present in the scene.
• Ask students to summarize the scene using description (5 w).
• Ask students to express their reasoning on why the scene matches the plot element(s).
• Provide additional resources, such as a class wiki, to allow students to continue their learning independently. Extension
• Have students work in small groups to create a short presentation to teach classmates about a specific plot element.
• Presentations can include a combination of spoken and written communication.