A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a novel with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the novel in the sequence using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
The story opens in a remote seaside village where a young family of three live: Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito. Although they are poor, the family lives a relatively happy life.
One day Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion and Kino and Juana do not have the money for treatment. So, Kino goes out in the ocean in search of a pearl.
At home Juana prays that her husband will find a pearl bigger than any other and her prayers are answered. Kino finds such a large pearl that it attracts attention from all the villagers. After Coyotito is cured, Juana and Kino end up fighting off thieves, robbers, and themselves when the greed and lust for the pearl become unbearable.
The two inevitably decide they must leave. Juana decides to go home to gather their belongings while Kino goes to ready the canoe. However, they are each met with disaster: Kino finds the canoe destroyed and Juana finds the house has been set on fire. Narrowly escaping, the family hides at Juan Tomas's house until it is safe to leave for the capital to sell the pearl.
The family leaves to travel up the mountain to get to the capital city. Kino realizes that they are being followed and he tries to create diversions for the trackers in the form of false trails. When he finally finds the trackers he attempts to attack them. Yet, at the same moment both Coyotito and a gunshot are heard. After Kino kills the trackers and rushes back to the cave, he finds that his son has been shot.
Carrying their dead child, they emerge from the mountain back at their village, where the community silently looks on. Kino then takes the pearl and throws it as hard as he can back into the ocean.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of The Pearl.
Introduce students to the concept of conflicts and their significance and contribution to the story. Teachers can first give some general examples from everyday life to introduce this idea and then move towards more literary examples from stories and books students are familiar with.
Discuss with students the different types of conflicts. Initially, explain internal and external conflicts and then move towards more advanced forms such as character vs society or character vs nature. Once students are clear on the concept help them identify the different types of conflicts present in the story. For example, we can see external conflicts on many occasions such as Kino beating Juana when she tries to take away the pearl from him.
Ask the students to consider the lessons they can learn from the conflicts in "The Pearl" as you draw the topic to a close. For instance, "What can we learn from this story about human nature and the effects of material wealth?" Teachers can ask more questions about the conflict to make the story relatable and sort of experiential learning.
Encourage the students to think about the causes of these disputes. Discussions on the following topics may include themes of Greed and Envy and asking questions such as “How does the pearl highlight these unfavorable characteristics in people?” Ask the students to focus on the “Why” aspect of the conflict and how this specific conflict contributes to the overall narrative.
Talk about how the conflicts are resolved at the end. It is not necessary for all stories to have happy endings or all resolutions to be positive. Discuss with the students their thoughts and perspectives on the ending of the story and if according to them all conflicts were resolved.
In the rising action, Kino finds a big, priceless pearl while diving for oysters. When the locals show interest, Kino begins to see a brighter future for his family. These events lead to many conflicts which ultimately highlight the theme of the story and help the readers understand the intended lesson.
As the villagers and others get more and more avaricious and attempt to steal Kino's pearl, the issue worsens and the characters have to deal with the consequences of their own actions. Students can reflect on the sequence of the events and relate it will the development of the characters and the narrative.