Plot Mountain Slides Plot Mountain
An Explorer's Guide to Storytelling
Narrative Structure
Grades 3-5
What is Plot?
Think of Plot as the blueprint of a story.
"It's the sequence of events that make up a story, from beginning to end."
Every great story follows a path. Without a plot, we just have a bunch of stuff happening!
The Five Peak Journey
Most stories follow this mountain-shaped path
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Part 1
Exposition
A
Introduction: The start of the story where we meet the characters.
B
Setting: Where and when the story takes place.
"Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who left home to build their own houses in the big, wide world..."
Part 2
Rising Action
The "Climb" begins!
The Conflict is introduced.
Characters face challenges or problems.
The story gets more exciting and tense!
"The Big Bad Wolf comes and blows down the straw house and the stick house. The pigs run to the brick house!"
Part 3
Climax
The Peak Moment!
The turning point of the story. It's the most exciting or intense part!
The main character finally faces the big problem head-on.
"The Wolf can't blow down the brick house, so he climbs onto the roof to go down the chimney!"
Part 4
Falling Action
The "Descent"
The excitement starts to wind down. We see the results of the climax.
Loose ends start being tied up.
"The Wolf falls into a pot of boiling water and runs away, never to be seen again!"
Part 5
Resolution
The Finish Line
The story's conclusion. The conflict is over, and we see how the characters have changed or what they've learned.
"The three little pigs live together happily and safely in the brick house."
Ready to explore?
PICK A STORY
Think of your favorite movie or book.
MAP IT OUT
Can you find all 5 mountain peaks?
SHARE
Present your plot mountain to the group!
Plot Mountain Worksheet Plot Mountain Map
Map out your story's adventure!
Explorer:
Date:
Story Title:
1 2 3 4 5
1
Exposition
Who are the characters? Where is the setting?
2
Rising Action
What problem starts the journey? List 2-3 events.
3
Climax
The most exciting turning point!
4
Falling Action
What happens right after the climax?
5
Resolution
How does the story end? How did characters change?
Explorer Reflection: What was the most important event in this story?
Plot Explorer Guide Teacher Field Manual
Plot Mountain Explorers
Grade Level: 3-5 | Duration: 45-60 Minutes
Mission Objectives
• Identify the 5 parts of a plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
• Explain how the conflict drives the story's movement up and down the "mountain."
• Map a known story onto a plot diagram with accuracy.
Essential Gear
Plot Mountain Slides: Presentation deckPlot Mountain Worksheet: One per studentA familiar mentor text (e.g., "The Three Little Pigs")
The Trail Map (Procedure)
0-10 min The Hook
The Roller Coaster Simulation
Ask students to stand up. Tell them they are going on a roller coaster. Slow climb: Have them move their hands up slowly (Tension!). The Peak: Stop at the top (The Climax!). The Drop: Zoom hands down (Release!). Explain that stories work exactly like this roller coaster—or a mountain climb.
10-25 min The Climb
Direct Instruction (Slides)
Use the Plot Mountain Slides to introduce each term. Use the "Three Little Pigs" example provided in the slides to ground the vocabulary in a story everyone knows.
Teacher Talk Prompt:
"The Exposition is like packing your bags. You need to know who is going and where they are starting before the climb begins."
Check for Understanding:
"Why do we call it Rising Action? What is actually 'rising' in the story?" (Answer: Tension, excitement, or conflict intensity)
25-50 min Exploring
Guided & Independent Practice
Distribute the Plot Mountain Worksheet . Choose a short story read recently in class or a popular movie (like "Frozen" or "Finding Nemo") to map out as a whole group first. Then, have students choose their own favorite story to map independently.
50-60 min The Peak
The "One-Word Peak" Exit Ticket
Before leaving, students must write one word on a sticky note that describes the CLIMAX of their chosen story and stick it to a large mountain drawn on the board.
Adapting the Trail (Differentiation)
Scaffolding:
Provide a story with 5 "event cards." Students must physically sort the cards onto the mountain diagram before writing them down.
Extension:
Challenge students to create a "reverse mountain" for a story they are writing—start with the Resolution and work backward to figure out the Climax.
Plot Peak Exit Ticket Plot Peak Check
Explorer:
1. Which part of the story is the most exciting turning point?
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Resolution
2. Draw a quick mountain and label where the CLIMAX goes:
Plot Peak Check
Explorer:
1. Which part of the story is the most exciting turning point?
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Resolution
2. Draw a quick mountain and label where the CLIMAX goes:
Plot Mountain Answer Key Answer Key
Mentor Text: The Three Little Pigs
Teacher Resource
Story Title: The Three Little Pigs
1
Exposition
Characters: Three Little Pigs, Big Bad Wolf (optional mention), Mother Pig.
Setting: The countryside, long ago.
Situation: The pigs leave home to build their own houses.
2
Rising Action
• Pig 1 builds a straw house; Wolf blows it down.
• Pig 2 builds a stick house; Wolf blows it down.
• Pigs 1 and 2 flee to the third pig's brick house.
• Wolf tries to blow down the brick house but fails.
3
Climax
The Wolf climbs onto the roof and prepares to jump down the chimney to reach the pigs inside the brick house.
Note: This is the moment of highest tension where the conflict is decided.
4
Falling Action
• The Wolf falls down the chimney into a pot of boiling water.
• The Wolf gets burned and screams in pain.
• The Wolf runs away as fast as he can.
5
Resolution
The three pigs live together safely and happily ever after in the sturdy brick house. The Wolf never returns to bother them again.
Scoring Notes:
Accept variations in wording as long as the plot events are in the correct sequence.
For Climax , ensure students identify the turning point , not just any exciting event.
Check that Resolution explains the final outcome or "new normal."
