![The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - "The Monkey's Paw" Character Map](http://cdn2.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/2355265/cell-col-0-row-0-w400.png "The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - "The Monkey's Paw" Character Map")
![The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - Literary Conflict in "The Monkey's Paw"](http://cdn2.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/2355306/src-sets/cell-col-1-row-0-w400.png "The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - Literary Conflict in "The Monkey's Paw"")
![The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - Themes and Symbols in "The Monkey's Paw"](http://cdn2.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/2355314/cell-col-0-row-0-w400.png "The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - Themes and Symbols in "The Monkey's Paw"")
![The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - "The Monkey's Paw" Vocabulary](http://cdn2.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/2355283/cell-row-0-col-1-w400.png "The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs - "The Monkey's Paw" Vocabulary")
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
https://sbt-core-www-c7bcewead6hdg8dr.eastus-01.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/the-monkeys-paw-by-ww-jacobs/plot-diagram
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop greater understanding of literary structures, like five act structure.
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: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
On a dark, cold night at the Laburnam Villa, the White family is awaiting a visitor. Mr. White and his son Herbert are playing chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire. Sergeant Major Morris arrives and regales the family with tales from his 21 years of traveling to vast and exotic places in his tenure as a soldier.
Conflict
Mr. White reminds Morris of a story he was telling him recently regarding a strange monkey’s paw he acquired in India. It supposedly was bewitched by an old fakir to grant three separate men three wishes. Mr. White wants the paw, but Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble.
Rising Action
Morris throws the paw into the fire and Mr. White rescues it. Mr. White makes his first wish: he wishes for a sum of two hundred pounds (£200). Herbert makes a crashing sound on the piano and the paw moves. The next day, the Whites receive word that Herbert was caught in the machinery at work and killed. The company compensates the Whites with a check for £200.
Climax
The Whites are shaken by how their wish came true and filled with grief from losing their only son. Mrs. White persuades Mr. White to wish that Herbert was alive again. Mr. White finds the paw and makes the wish; all of a sudden, there is a quiet, persistent knocking at the door.
Falling Action
The knocking becomes louder. Mrs. White wants to run to the door, frantic to let Herbert in, but Mr. White holds her back because knows the wickedness of the paw and is afraid of what kind of “state” Herbert might be in. She breaks free and runs to the door, but she can’t reach the bolt. Mr. White searches hurriedly for the paw.
Resolution
Just as his wife gets a chair, climbs up, and slides back the bolt, Mr. White finds the paw and makes his final wish. The knocking suddenly stops. Mrs. White opens the door, but there is no one outside.
Template and Class Instructions
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
Create a visual plot diagram of “The Monkey’s Paw”.
- Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, 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.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)
Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
Lesson Plan Overview
A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop greater understanding of literary structures, like five act structure.
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: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
On a dark, cold night at the Laburnam Villa, the White family is awaiting a visitor. Mr. White and his son Herbert are playing chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire. Sergeant Major Morris arrives and regales the family with tales from his 21 years of traveling to vast and exotic places in his tenure as a soldier.
Conflict
Mr. White reminds Morris of a story he was telling him recently regarding a strange monkey’s paw he acquired in India. It supposedly was bewitched by an old fakir to grant three separate men three wishes. Mr. White wants the paw, but Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble.
Rising Action
Morris throws the paw into the fire and Mr. White rescues it. Mr. White makes his first wish: he wishes for a sum of two hundred pounds (£200). Herbert makes a crashing sound on the piano and the paw moves. The next day, the Whites receive word that Herbert was caught in the machinery at work and killed. The company compensates the Whites with a check for £200.
Climax
The Whites are shaken by how their wish came true and filled with grief from losing their only son. Mrs. White persuades Mr. White to wish that Herbert was alive again. Mr. White finds the paw and makes the wish; all of a sudden, there is a quiet, persistent knocking at the door.
Falling Action
The knocking becomes louder. Mrs. White wants to run to the door, frantic to let Herbert in, but Mr. White holds her back because knows the wickedness of the paw and is afraid of what kind of “state” Herbert might be in. She breaks free and runs to the door, but she can’t reach the bolt. Mr. White searches hurriedly for the paw.
Resolution
Just as his wife gets a chair, climbs up, and slides back the bolt, Mr. White finds the paw and makes his final wish. The knocking suddenly stops. Mrs. White opens the door, but there is no one outside.
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
Create a visual plot diagram of “The Monkey’s Paw”.
- Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, 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.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)
Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
How Tos about "The Monkey's Paw" Summary
1
Engage students with creative writing twists on 'The Monkey’s Paw'
Encourage students to reimagine the story’s ending or invent new wishes for the paw. This activity boosts critical thinking and allows students to apply their understanding of plot while expressing creativity. Having students share and discuss their alternate endings can deepen comprehension and promote collaborative learning.
2
Assign students to brainstorm alternate wishes
Ask students to list three new wishes the characters could make. Encourage them to consider how each wish might change the story’s outcome. This helps students analyze cause and effect in narrative structure.
3
Guide students to outline a new ending
Have students draft a brief outline for how the plot would change with their chosen wish. This activity supports sequencing skills and strengthens understanding of story structure.
4
Facilitate peer sharing and discussion
Invite students to share their alternate endings with a partner or small group. Encourage them to give feedback on how the new wishes affect the story’s themes and message. This fosters collaborative learning and respectful communication.
5
Encourage reflection on story choices
Ask students to reflect in writing on how their changes impact the story’s mood or moral. This step deepens literary analysis and helps students connect creative choices to the author’s intent.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Monkey\'s Paw\" Summary
What is a plot diagram for 'The Monkey's Paw'?
A plot diagram for 'The Monkey's Paw' visually maps out the story’s structure, including Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students understand key events and the narrative arc.
How can I teach 'The Monkey's Paw' plot using a storyboard?
To teach 'The Monkey's Paw' plot with a storyboard, have students create six scenes showing each plot part: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, with images and short descriptions for each.
What are the major events in 'The Monkey's Paw' story?
The major events include the White family’s introduction, the arrival of Sergeant Major Morris, the wishes made on the monkey’s paw, Herbert’s death, the wish for his return, and the final resolution at the door.
Why use plot diagrams in K-12 literature lessons?
Plot diagrams help students visually organize events, understand literary structure, and retain key details, making them an effective tool for K-12 literature comprehension and analysis.
What is the best way to help students summarize 'The Monkey's Paw'?
The best way is to have students break down the story into its plot parts, create a storyboard or diagram, and write brief descriptions for each section. This reinforces comprehension and summarization skills.
More Storyboard That Activities
Monkey's Paw, The
Testimonials
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
https://sbt-core-www-c7bcewead6hdg8dr.eastus-01.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/the-monkeys-paw-by-ww-jacobs/plot-diagram
© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
