Character maps are a helpful tool for students to use as they're reading, although they can also be used after completing a book. In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in A Mango-Shaped Space, paying close attention to the physical attributes and the traits of both major and minor characters. Students can also provide detailed information regarding the challenges the character faces, the challenges the character imposes, and the importance of the character to the plot of the story.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a character map for the major characters in A Mango-Shaped Space.
Student Instructions:
Start by selecting a few key characters from 'A Mango-Shaped Space' and inviting students to share their observations about those characters' traits. Encourage students to use evidence from the text to back up their ideas, helping everyone practice citing sources and thinking critically.
Ask students to find specific sentences or phrases in the book that reveal a character’s personality or motivations. Model how to highlight or note these examples, reinforcing the connection between reading and comprehension skills.
Facilitate small group or partner conversations where students explain their reasoning and listen to differing perspectives. Remind students to reference the text and respect each other's viewpoints, fostering a supportive classroom community.
Lead the class in summarizing how these traits influence the plot and connect to the book’s larger messages. Highlight how understanding character development deepens overall comprehension and empathy for characters.
A character map for 'A Mango-Shaped Space' is a visual tool that helps students organize and analyze the physical attributes, traits, and challenges of both major and minor characters in the novel.
To create a character map, choose a character to represent each person in the story, select appropriate colors and poses, and fill in sections about their traits, how they change, and the challenges they face throughout the novel.
Key character traits in 'A Mango-Shaped Space' include resilience, creativity, empathy, and the ability to adapt to challenges, especially as characters grow and change during the story.
Creating a character map helps students deepen comprehension, identify character development, and make connections between characters’ actions and the plot, which enhances their overall understanding of the novel.
Characters in 'A Mango-Shaped Space' face challenges such as dealing with synesthesia, navigating friendships, and overcoming personal struggles, which are important to the book’s message and character growth.