Read folklore aloud, especially stories like "Snow White" and "Rumpelstiltskin" that most students have heard at least once. Ask simple questions, such as "who were the main characters of the story" and "where did the story action take place." This encourages students to recall the information and identify the parts of the plot through prompts.
Draw major points of the story on the blackboard, overhead projector or printed handouts. Have the students put the plot in order using the pictures. This helps them visualize the story's progression.
Have the students label the pictures initial action, rising conflict, climax and resolution. Have them describe how changes to the setting, characters or conflict might change the story's outcome.
Draw out the different types of conflict. Show students how man can fight against man, self, society or nature in a story and explain that one story may have multiple forms of conflict. One good way to show the different types of conflict is with picture books.
Test students' understanding by breaking a larger text into portions and having them describe the setting, characters, conflict and resolution in each section. Then, have each group draw the plot action out on the board for the section they covered.