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Objectives:
- Students will identify the elements of a summary.
- Students will recognize the key parts of a story.
- Students will create plot diagrams.
- Students will write effective summary and response paragraphs about a folktale.
Materials:
- Block Party – 100 Joint Bamboo document
- Writing Summaries and Plot Diagram Reading
- Plot Diagram Template
- Summary and Response Essay Guidelines
- Summary and Response Essay Prompt
- Poster paper or collaborative digital workspace (such as Google slides)
Note: This lesson will take two to three class periods.
Block Party!
Students will review a previously studied story from The Folktale Project, using the Block Party protocol. As an example, we will use “The 100 Joint Bamboo” by Long Doan.
Students write their notes/responses in the four boxes on the block party document. Students then share their responses. For Block #1, they share with one classmate. For Block #2, they share with two classmates. For Block #3, they share with three classmates. For Block #4, they share with four classmates. In a classroom environment, students stand and meet with other students. For each block, they try to meet with students they have not talked to yet that day. In a Zoom environment, the instructor could assign breakout rooms randomly for each round.
Note: Here is a more detailed description of the original block party protocol.
Reading: Writing Summaries and Plot Diagram
Ask students to read the section on writing summaries in the document. They can read independently, in pairs, or groups. When they get to the embedded questions, they should stop, take notes, and discuss. Discuss as a whole class.
Read and discuss the information about plots on page 2 of the document. You might consider showing this video as well, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yzY6buMflo.
As a class, create a plot diagram for one of the stories in The Folktale Project.
In groups, students create a plot diagram for one of the other stories in the collection (using a poster or shared document
For homework, ask students to write a summary of one of the stories, using the plot diagram as support.
Writing a Response
In groups, students share their summary paragraphs. They choose one to represent the group. Review together. Students can be invited to revise/edit their summaries.
Present information about how to write a response. Ask students to consider these questions:
- What is the message of this reading?
- What is the story saying about the values of the society? What is the reading saying about culture, gender, race, or class?
- What did this story remind you of? (Any memories?)
- What connections can you make to other stories, movies, or life experiences? Is it similar or different from a story you already know?
- Did you like it? Why or why not?
- Do you agree with the message? Why or why not?
- Would you recommend that others read it? Why or why not?
In pairs, students choose three questions to ask each other about the story they summarized. After the discussion, students write a response paragraph in class or as homework.
Summary/Response Essay
Distribute the Summary and Response Essay Guidelines for students’ reference. At a subsequent class meeting, an in-class summary/response essay can be assigned if desired.
