Analyzing Plot Elements - Task Cards (Independent Practice)

Forgotten Form

Jenny was excited for the field trip. Her fourth grade class was going to the art museum. She couldn’t wait to load the bus. “Jenny, could you come here please?” her teacher called. Jenny slowly approached her teacher’s desk. “Jenny, you never gave me your permission slip. Did you bring it back today?” Jenny looked at her teacher as tears filled her eyes. “No ma’am,” Jenny replied. “I emailed your mom. Maybe you should double check your homework folder,” her teacher suggested. Jenny walked slowly to her backpack. How likely was it that her mom signed her permission slip? She couldn’t believe she had forgotten something so important! Slowly, Jenny opened her homework folder. There in the left pocket was her permission slip. Her mom had signed it! Attached was a note: You need to be more responsible in the future. Love, Mom

Which of the events was the conflict in the story?

• A. Jenny can’t wait to go to the field trip.

• B. Jenny did not have a signed permission slip.

• C. Jenny needs to be more responsible.

• D. Jenny’s teacher emailed her mom.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Failed Exam

Kevin sat in his desk and stared at his paper in quiet disbelief. He knew that he hadn’t studied. In fact, he hadn’t even read his textbook like his teacher had instructed him to do independently. Still, he didn’t think that he would fail his test with a 24%. He didn’t even know that averages could go so low! Kevin knew that he would be in trouble when he got home. Even worse, he might have to go to summer school. Kevin was grounded for a week. Even without being grounded, Kevin had learned a very important lesson. Kevin always took the time to study by looking over his notes, reading the textbook, and quizzing himself on important information. Kevin never, ever got a failing grade on a test again and thankfully didn’t have to attend summer school!

What event resolves the main problem?

• Kevin gets grounded.

• Kevin learns an important lesson.

• Kevin goes to summer school.

• Kevin learns to study for tests.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

The Long Hike

Marcus and Walker went on a hike with their scouting troop. They were hiking buddies for the day, and both were feeling exhausted. Marcus looked at Walker and asked, “Man! Do you think we could sit for a moment and get a drink of water?” “Yes!” Walker responded. Both boys took a seat on a nearby boulder and took out their water bottles. They started telling stories from previous hikes until they finally felt rested. They stood up to leave and realized they could no longer see the rest of their troop. “Where is everybody?” Walker asked in a voice filled with anxiety. “Let’s not panic. We can just blow our whistles,” Marcus said calmly. Both boys blew their whistles until the troop leader found them. “What are you doing? Let’s go!” their leader yelled. Grinning Marcus said, “See? Told ya it would work!”

Which event was the climax?

• The boys stop at a boulder.

• The boys look up and see nobody around.

• The boys blow their whistles.

• The boys get rescued.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.5

Solo Performance

Masha had practiced her piano solo for months. She could play the piece with her eyes closed. However, she wasn’t sure that she could perform it in front of the entire school. Her heart raced at just the thought. On Friday, Masha sat behind a closed curtain. Her mind was filled with all the possibilities of bad outcomes. What if she forgot how to read music? What if she couldn’t remember where the piano keys were? What if she played horribly? Suddenly, the curtain opened. Masha took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and remembered all her practice sessions. Masha put her hands on the piano and began to play. She nailed every note. Afterwards, she took a bow while a grin stretched across her face from ear to ear.

What event is not part of the falling action?

• Masha took a deep breath.

• Masha began to play.

• The curtain opened.

• She remembered all of her practice sessions.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.5

The Accident

La’tisha was driving to Colorado to visit her family for Thanksgiving break. She took her eyes off of the road to find her music. She glanced back up to make sure that she was still in the lines. Everything was good, so she looked back down. She still couldn’t find her music! Frustrated, she glanced back up. Still good. She dug through her console and found her C.D. She looked back up and right in front of her was a huge buck. She slammed on the brakes. The car went careening down the road and slid into the ditch. La’tisha sighed and reached for her phone. It wouldn’t be the first time that her dad had to tow her out of a ditch.

The climax of the story happened when—

• She saw the huge buck.

• She took her eyes off the road.

• She fell into the ditch.

• She couldn't find her music.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Lost Keys

Tony was careless with his important items. He always had been. He frequently lost things like his shoes, his wallet, even his phone. He insisted that they weren’t lost, only misplaced. “Lost things don’t come back. Misplaced things can be found,” he would tell his friends. One Saturday, Tony went out on a boat with his friends. He threw his keys in his swim towel. He enjoyed the rest of the day on the boat. He swam, went tubing, and even tanned on the back of the boat. Finally, it was time to leave. Tony grabbed his towel and yanked it around his body. His keys went flying into the air. Splash! They landed right in the lake. Tony sighed and said to his friend, “Now those are lost. I guess I will need to call a locksmith. Where’s my phone?”

What event is a part of the rising action?

• Tony throws his keys on his towel.

• The keys fly into the air.

• The keys land in the water.

• Tony calls a locksmith.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.5