Activity Overview
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. The Tale of Despereaux has many different subplots, so students may interpret these parts very differently.
Plot Diagram Example for The Tale of Despereaux
Exposition: Despereaux is not like other mice. He lives in a castle and falls madly in love with the Princess. However, loving a human is wrong, and Despereaux is banished to the dungeons to live with the rats. What will become of this special mouse?
Rising Action: When he arrives in the dungeon, Despereaux meets Roscuro. Roscuro was blamed for the Queen's death, and the Princess was the cause of his dimise. Roscuro dispises the very woman whom Despereaux loves, and plans revenge.
Climax: Despereaux manages to escape the dungeon. At the same time, Roscuro kidnaps the Princess with the help of a lonely servant named Miggory Sow. He promises Mig she will become the new princess, but of course this isn't a promise he will keep.
Falling Action: Miggory realizes that Rosucro has tricked her, and she and Despereaux team up to rescue Princess Pea. She is saved and returned to the castle.
Resolution: Despereaux and Princess Pea are allowed to be friends, and Despereaux and Roscuro are allowed in the castle. Miggory discovers that her father was a prisoner in the dungeons and he is set free. He treats his daughter like a princess and they all live happily ever after.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of The Tale of Despereaux.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Separate the story into the Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Cells include images that help to tell the story and do not get in the way of understanding. Descriptions match the images. | Descriptions do not always match the images. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Plot | Each of the six cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | Two cells or fewer are out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or three or more cells are out of order. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
Frequently Asked Questions about The Tale of Despereaux Summary
What is the central plot of "The Tale of Despereaux"?
The central plot of "The Tale of Despereaux" revolves around the extraordinary journey of a mouse named Despereaux Tilling. Born with unusually large ears and a penchant for reading, Despereaux is an outcast among his fellow mice in the Kingdom of Dor. His life takes a dramatic turn when he falls in love with Princess Pea, setting him on a path to rescue her from the castle's dark and forbidding dungeons. Concurrently, the story explores the plight of Roscuro, a rat with a fascination for light, who inadvertently causes the princess's sadness. As their fates intertwine, the novel delves into themes of courage, love, forgiveness, and the power of storytelling. Ultimately, the central plot follows Despereaux's quest to bring hope and light back to the kingdom, challenging conventions and inspiring change in a world where fear and darkness have taken hold.
Can you provide a brief summary of the main characters in "The Tale of Despereaux"?
Certainly, the main characters in "The Tale of Despereaux" include Despereaux Tilling, the brave and unconventional mouse who loves to read and is deeply in love with Princess Pea; Princess Pea, the kind and compassionate daughter of King Phillip; Roscuro, a rat with a penchant for light and beauty, whose actions inadvertently lead to a tragic incident in the castle; Miggery Sow, a servant girl with a troubled past who becomes entangled in the castle's intrigues; and Gregory, the castle's jailer. These characters play pivotal roles in the story's development, with Despereaux's courage and love driving the narrative, Princess Pea's sorrow influencing the kingdom, Roscuro's search for redemption, Miggery Sow's desire for a better life, and Gregory's conflicted role as the castle's keeper.
What information should be included in the storyboard cells or worksheets when summarizing the story?
Storyboard cells or worksheets for summarizing "The Tale of Despereaux" should encompass key plot points and character developments. Each cell or section may include descriptions of significant events, such as Despereaux's birth, his fascination with Princess Pea, and his daring journey to rescue her from the dungeon. Additionally, it's essential to capture critical character traits, such as Despereaux's bravery, Princess Pea's kindness, Roscuro's inner conflict, Miggery Sow's dreams, and Gregory's role in the castle. The worksheets or cells should also emphasize thematic elements, like courage, love, and forgiveness, which are central to the narrative. Overall, a comprehensive summary should provide a snapshot of the story's progression, character dynamics, and thematic depth, helping readers or students grasp the essence of "The Tale of Despereaux."
How to Analyze Character Development through Summary
Introduction
Begin the lesson by discussing the importance of character development in literature. Explain that students will learn how to analyze character development through summarizing the key events in "The Tale of Despereaux." Define character development and its role in storytelling. Clarify the lesson's objective: to summarize and analyze the character development of key characters in the story.
Modeling Character Development Analysis
Choose one character from "The Tale of Despereaux" and model the process of analyzing their development through summary. Select passages or scenes that highlight the character's growth, changes, or challenges. Guide students in identifying and summarizing key events that contributed to the character's development. Discuss how to extract insights about the character's motivations, actions, and transformations from the summary.
Guided Practice
Divide the class into small groups or pairs and assign each group a different character from the book. Provide specific passages or chapters that showcase the character's development. Instruct students to collaboratively create summaries that capture the character's journey, focusing on key moments and changes. Encourage them to discuss and analyze the character's motivations, conflicts, and evolving traits within their groups.
Group Sharing and Reflection
Have each group share their character development summaries with the class. Lead a class discussion focusing on character development, using the summaries as evidence. Encourage students to compare and contrast the development of different characters in the story. Conclude the lesson by highlighting the role of character development in shaping the narrative and characters' roles in the story's themes.
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