Read it, Write it, Tell it Head 11
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Plot Lesson
Plot

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Extensions

Plot PDF Downloads

Plot Line Blank

Plot Events and Symbols Planning Matrix

Ohio Odyssey Plot Line

Ohio Odyssey Plot Events and Symbol Suggestions

Complete Plot Unit		  

 

2 Plot
Episode: Ohio Odyssey

Lesson Overview

The purpose of the lessons in this unit is to help Ohio students in grades 5-7 learn the characteristics of the literary text PLOT indicators that they must master for their respective Ohio achievement tests. Special care has been taken to dovetail the lessons with the indicators and the types of questions commonly asked on Ohio tests. 

Ohio Academic Content Indicators

2001.EL.S05.G04-07.BC.L05.I03
Identify the main incidents of a plot sequence and explain how they influence future action.

2001.EL.S05.G04-07.BC.L06.I03
Identify the main and minor events of the plot, and explain how each incident gives rise to the next.

2001.EL.S05.G04-07.BC.G07.I03
Identify the main and minor events of the plot, and explain how each incident gives rise to the next.

Ohio Achievement/Proficiency Tests Plot Question Types

  • At Point X, what is the main problem?
  • What happens just before Event X?
  • Tell how Character X felt at the beginning (middle/end) of the selection and list the event(s) that made him/her feel that way.
  • At the beginning of the selection, X was happening/was the mood/was the setting.  Later in the selection, X is different. (The difference is stated for the student.) Write y number of things from the selection that caused the change. Write them in the order that they happen in the selection.
  • List (or complete a web showing) x number of things Character Y did to solve Problem Z.
  • Given a list of incidents/events from a selection, choose the one that directly caused/led to Event X.
  • What is the major conflict in the selection and how is it resolved?
  • In the beginning (middle/end) of the selection, what is the main problem the protagonist/main character faces?
  • In the beginning (middle/end) of the selection, what is the main problem the protagonist/main character faces and how does s/he solve it?
  • For each of a series of listed events, give the action that resulted from or occurred because of it.
  • Describe Character A’s problem in the selection and explain how s/he solves it. Then state a way that s/he works toward her specific goal and identify a plot event that demonstrates a sign of progress.
  • Identify the main and minor events from the selection and explain how each gives rise to the next.

Ohio Odyssey
Episode Summary

In this episode, Johnny Appleseed meets a giant serpent that fell to earth in a meteor. The snake plans to consume the Earth – boulder, by cave, by mountain. Johnny sends Mike Fink through time to pick up the “Buckeye Heroes” from the other seven episodes and they all join together to defeat the serpent. The Buckeye Heroes are: Johnny Appleseed, Mike Fink, Annie Oakley, Harriett Beecher Stowe, Jesse Owens, Neil Armstrong, and Cy Gatton.

Access this episode's Before Viewing and After Viewing discussion guides by downloading the complete unit guide.

Plot Lesson

Materials:

Procedure:

  • Display or give students the handout “Ohio Odyssey Plot Events and Symbol Suggestions.” Point out the relationship between the suggested symbols and the plot events and how the events are grouped into sections.
  • Review the elements of Plot.
    • The plot is the series of events in a story.
    • It is composed of the problem (conflict/exposition), rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
    • The conflict is generally between the main character and another character, fate, him/herself, nature or society.
    • The rising action is the series of incidents leading to the climax.
    • The climax of a story is the most intense moment in the story.
    • The falling action is the series of incidents that occur following the climax.
    • The resolution is when the problem has been solved and there is a satisfactory ending to the story. Some descriptions of plot elements group the falling action and resolution into one category.
  • Display or give the students the handout “Ohio Odyssey Plot Line” so that they may see how the plot event symbols may be displayed on a plot line.
  • Tell the students that they will be creating a plot line.
  • Give the students a copy of the handouts “Plot Line” and “Plot Events and Symbols Planning Matrix.” Direct the students to fill out the numbered lines on the “Plot Line” handout to indicate the major division of a story’s plot and to choose one of the suggested stories.
  • Remind students that not all stories are as linear as the “Ohio Odyssey” episode. Stories may use flashbacks (example: Hatchet by Gary Paulson and Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars) and parallel plot lines (Example: Holes by Louis Sachar and A View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg.) Have the class brainstorm what a plot line might look like if it had parallel plots or used flashbacks.
  • After the students have chosen a story from the list of generated titles, have the students fill in plot events for their chosen stories on the student page “ Plot Events and Symbols Planning Matrix”.
  • After the students have filled in their plot events, direct them to create a plot line using symbols – or text – for their chosen stories.
Read more about plot lines at Plot Profile or Plot Line from the Tasmanian (Australia) government’s education website: http://wwwfp.education.tas.gov.au/english/plot.htm