Storyboard That: Matilda Plot & Story Elements Lesson

Q: What is a summary of Matilda for elementary students?

Matilda is a story about a gifted girl whose parents treat her poorly. She finds support from Miss Honey , her kind teacher, and together they overcome the cruel Miss Trunchbull . The story shows how Matilda and Miss Honey help each other to find happiness and safety.

Q: How can I teach parts of a story using Matilda?

To teach parts of a story with Matilda , have students identify the beginning (Matilda’s family life), middle (meeting Miss Honey at school), and end (defeating Miss Trunchbull). Students can create pictures and write sentences for each part to reinforce understanding.

Q: What are some easy activities for summarizing Matilda in class?

Try activities like drawing scenes from the beginning, middle, and end of Matilda , writing a sentence under each picture, or creating a simple storyboard. These help students practice summarizing key events in a creative way.

Q: Why is summarizing important for 4th and 5th graders?

Summarizing helps 4th and 5th graders improve reading comprehension by focusing on main ideas and key events. It encourages them to process what they’ve read and express it in their own words, building critical thinking skills.

Q: What is an example of a concise summary of Matilda?

Example: In Matilda, a smart girl with unkind parents finds a caring teacher, Miss Honey. Together, they stand up to the mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and create a better life for themselves.

More options

Copy Activity

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

In this activity, students will demonstrate their comprehension of the text through summarizing three or more events, and develop an understanding of plot structure.

Example of a Plot Diagram for Matilda

Exposition

The Wormwood family is not like any other. Mr. and Mrs. Wormword don't care that their 5 1/2 year old daughter Matilda is a genius, and Matilda doesn't quite realize what she is capable until she tries.

Rising Action

At school, Matilda's life isn't much better. Her teacher, Miss Trunchbull, is mean and simply horrible, bringing out Matilda's telekinetic powers and the prankster within her.

Climax

Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to write on the chalkboard and scare Miss Trunchbull, causing her to pass out.

Falling Action

Miss Trunchbull has left the school, and Miss Honey's life is starting to fall back into place. Matilda is able to skip some grades and finally feels challenged in school.

Resolution

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and their son head to Spain without Matilda. Matilda and Miss Honey become a family and never have to think about their horrible families again!

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Make a plot diagram of Matilda.

Make a picture and write a description for the exposition.
Make a picture and write a description for the rising action.
Make a picture and write a description for the climax.
Make a picture and write a description for the falling action.
Make a picture and write a description for the resolution

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-5

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Parts of a Story

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Sequence of Events Rubric

Create a storyboard that shows a sequence of events. Below each cell, type in a description about the importance of that part of the story.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Events	Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end.	One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information.	Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order.
Images	Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding.	Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect.	The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story.
Descriptions	Descriptions match the images and show the change over time.	Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event.	Descriptions are missing or do not match the images.
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 very difficult to understand.

Copy Activity

Lesson Plan Overview

In this activity, students will demonstrate their comprehension of the text through summarizing three or more events, and develop an understanding of plot structure.

Example of a Plot Diagram for Matilda

Exposition

Rising Action

At school, Matilda's life isn't much better. Her teacher, Miss Trunchbull, is mean and simply horrible, bringing out Matilda's telekinetic powers and the prankster within her.

Climax

Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to write on the chalkboard and scare Miss Trunchbull, causing her to pass out.

Falling Action

Miss Trunchbull has left the school, and Miss Honey's life is starting to fall back into place. Matilda is able to skip some grades and finally feels challenged in school.

Resolution

Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and their son head to Spain without Matilda. Matilda and Miss Honey become a family and never have to think about their horrible families again!

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Make a plot diagram of Matilda.

Make a picture and write a description for the exposition.
Make a picture and write a description for the rising action.
Make a picture and write a description for the climax.
Make a picture and write a description for the falling action.
Make a picture and write a description for the resolution

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-5

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Parts of a Story

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Sequence of Events Rubric

Create a storyboard that shows a sequence of events. Below each cell, type in a description about the importance of that part of the story.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Events	Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end.	One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information.	Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order.
Images	Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding.	Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect.	The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story.
Descriptions	Descriptions match the images and show the change over time.	Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event.	Descriptions are missing or do not match the images.
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 very difficult to understand.

Copy Activity

How Tos about Matilde Resumen

How to Guide Students in Writing a Cohesive Matilda Story Summary

Empower students to craft a connected summary by teaching them to link events and use transition words. This helps summaries flow smoothly and reflect deeper comprehension.

Model identifying key events before summarizing

Show students how to highlight or list main events from the beginning, middle, and end of Matilda. This ensures they focus on the most important plot points.

Teach using transition words to connect events

Introduce words like first, next, and finally to help students logically link each part of the story. This creates a summary that reads smoothly.

Encourage writing in their own words

Remind students to avoid copying text and instead explain events in their own language. This builds understanding and original thinking.

Review and revise the summary as a class

Guide students to share and discuss summaries together, offering suggestions to clarify ideas or add missing details. This collaborative review improves writing and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Matilde Resumen

What is a summary of Matilda for elementary students?

Matilda is a story about a gifted girl whose parents treat her poorly. She finds support from Miss Honey, her kind teacher, and together they overcome the cruel Miss Trunchbull. The story shows how Matilda and Miss Honey help each other to find happiness and safety.

How can I teach parts of a story using Matilda?

To teach parts of a story with Matilda, have students identify the beginning (Matilda’s family life), middle (meeting Miss Honey at school), and end (defeating Miss Trunchbull). Students can create pictures and write sentences for each part to reinforce understanding.

What are some easy activities for summarizing Matilda in class?

Try activities like drawing scenes from the beginning, middle, and end of Matilda, writing a sentence under each picture, or creating a simple storyboard. These help students practice summarizing key events in a creative way.

Why is summarizing important for 4th and 5th graders?

Summarizing helps 4th and 5th graders improve reading comprehension by focusing on main ideas and key events. It encourages them to process what they’ve read and express it in their own words, building critical thinking skills.

What is an example of a concise summary of Matilda?

Example: In Matilda, a smart girl with unkind parents finds a caring teacher, Miss Honey. Together, they stand up to the mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and create a better life for themselves.