The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind- Plot Diagram

We recently completed our novel study The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind using Lightning Literature. For our final book project, my son made a windmill diagraming the plot of the book. 

Material:

1. Straws

2. note cards

3. a cup

4. Skewer sticks or long popsicle sticks

5. Brass fastener

We made a rough copy of our plot diagram on the whiteboard. Once we took out unnecessary information my son copied it onto the note cards. 

We assembled the windmill and added the flag of Malawi to the cup. 

You can also use this project to summarize the picture book version for younger students. 

Somebody

Wanted to

So 

But 

Then

You can also do a character trait study on William, the main character. Write one trait per card and add the evidence from the text. 

Learning Plot Diagram Through Islamic Stories

As we learn about different language topics we like to apply them to our Islamic studies. My 5th grader recently learned how to make a plot diagram for the stories he reads. 

Exposition: Beginning of the story where the characters and setting are introduced

Rising Action: A series of events that build the story toward the climax

Climax: The most exciting part of the story. The turning point is where everything changes.

Falling Action: Events leading up to the end of the story

Resolution: The outcome of the story. How the problem gets solved. 

We applied the plot diagram to the story of the Battle of Uhud. After reading about the story in the book When the Moon Splits, we drew the plot diagram and added all the elements. 

 

Exposition: The Quraysh wanted revenge for the losses of the Battle of Badr. They gathered 3, 000 men. When the Prophet (saw) found out, he decided to meet them at Mt. Uhud.  

Rising Action: The Prophet (saw) and his army of 1, 000 marched to Uhud. 300 men abandoned leaving only 700. The Prophet (saw) put 50 archers on a hill to protect the armies back. Hamza , the lion of Allah, unfortunately dies in this battle. The Muslims were winning. 

Climax: 38 Archers came down from the hill. Khalid Bin Waleed attacked the Muslims from the back. The Muslims scattered and some of them ran. The Prophet (saw) was surrounded. 

Falling Action: The Prophet (saw) was surrounded by the enemy. Seven men from the Ansar and two from the Muhajireen rushed to help him. The seven Ansar died leaving the 3 Muhajireen. The Muslims managed to retreat back up the mountain safely. 

Resolution: The Muslims lost 20 men but none were captured. They lost the battle because they disobeyed the Prophet (saw). They learned a valuable lesson. Victory only comes when we obey Allah and His messenger. 

" Do not worry and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are true believers."

(3:139)