Activity Overview
In this activity, students can display the characters in the story, paying close attention to the physical characteristics and character traits of both major and minor characters. Students should also provide detailed information regarding the challenges the character faces, the challenges the character imposes, and the impact the minor characters have on the main character.
Characters included in the example character map are:
- Jeffrey “Maniac” Magee
- Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan
- Amanda Beale
- John McNab
- Mars Bar
- Earl Grayson
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 character map for the major characters.
- Identify the major characters in Maniac Magee and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character to represent each of the literary characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in the text boxes for each of the characters.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/3] Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Picture & Scene | The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters. | Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters. | More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. |
| Accuracy of Notes | Most of the information of the notes is correct. | Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing. | Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. |
| Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. |
How To Identify the Importance of Each Character in the Story
List the Characters
Students should list down all the characters from the novel first. This will help them keep track of all the important information later on.
Check the Character's Appearance
Ask the students to roughly estimate how many times a character appeared in the story. They can also analyze how much of the story is focused on that character. For instance, in Maniac Magee most of the story is based on the experiences and struggles of Jeffrey Magee.
Connection With the Main Character
Analyze the connection of all the other characters with the main character, In this analysis students can include the relationship of these characters with the main character, the impact of their appearance and actions, etc.
Offstage Impact
Students can also analyze the importance of a character due to their offstage influence. This means that they are impacting the story even if they were not present in that particular scene.
Write an Analysis
After gathering all the information students can write a short analysis on all the characters based on the steps above. This will help them put their thoughts and perspective on a page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Character Map of Maniac Magee
Which characters from "Maniac Magee" should be highlighted on the character map as the main ones?
Maniac Magee (Jeffrey Lionel Magee), Amanda Beale, Mars Bar Thompson, Grayson, the Beale family, Russell McNab, and the Cobras gang members are the primary characters that need to be represented on the character map.
How should the relationships between the characters be portrayed in the character map?
Draw lines between the characters to show their connections. To represent the type of relationships, such as friendship, family, or rivalry, use various line styles or colors.
Should I depict supporting characters in the character map, and if so, how should I convey their significance?
Secondary characters can provide readers with a more complete understanding of the plot. Place them next to the primary characters they interact with to indicate their importance and use symbols or distinct colors to indicate their difference.
How can I analyze how racial tensions affect the characters in "Maniac Magee" using the character map?
By connecting characters from various ethnic origins and using annotations to highlight how these tensions affect their relationships and behavior, you may examine the effects of racial tensions.
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