In this activity, students will choose an event, or a series of connected events, that play a key role in the plot.
This example, from Chapter 13, reveals Byron’s feelings for Kenny and how their relationship strengthens. First, Kenny ignores all of the warnings to stay away from Collier’s Landing. Kenny gets caught in a whirlpool and is unable to swim back to shore. Byron rescues Kenny from drowning and pulls him to shore. Once Kenny is safely out of the water, Byron holds him tight and kisses him over and over again; this is the first instance where Byron shows positive affection towards Kenny. This scene further shows their growing relationship when Byron instructs Kenny not to tell anybody about what happened.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map storyboard depicting three connected events in The Watsons go to Birmingham.
Briefly explain the activity to students and the objectives of the activity. Divide the students into groups of 3-4 and assign each group one chapter from “The Watsons Go to Birmingham”. Ask the groups to carefully analyze their assigned chapters and conduct group discussions on the events of the chapter. Encourage the students to ask questions and clear any confusion before starting the activity.
Once each group has carefully analyzed their assigned chapter, ask them to summarize the details of the chapters. Remind the students that the process of summarization includes cutting out less important parts, putting more emphasis on leading events, and paraphrasing to sum up the details. If necessary, teachers can show some sample graphic novels so students have an idea of how much detail they can put in.
Encourage the students to add visuals and interesting elements to the novel. A graphic novel means to tell the story with the help of pictures, hence more emphasis should be on visuals rather than text. Students can take the help of the internet and print some pictures that explain the events and the text in a good way. If possible, students can also draw the visuals themselves.
Once all the students have completed their chapters, teachers can compile each chapter and turn it into a complete novel. The novel can be passed in the class for students to have a look at the final version and work of other groups. Once all the students have gone through the novel, teachers can conduct a class discussion of the activity as well as the final product.
Students can explore the subtleties of the plot in greater detail by analyzing particular chapters. Character development, thematic themes, particular narrative developments, and the writing style of the author may all be identified with its assistance. Students can also create maps for each chapter and analyze them in relation to the previous and upcoming chapters.
Encourage the students to read the chapter carefully first. Help them make notes on key incidents, meaningful dialogue between characters, noteworthy quotations, and any literary methods employed. Ask the students to think about how the chapter advances the story as a whole. After students are done reading one chapter, ask them to summarize their findings and provide insights for in-class discussion.