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 Al Capone Does My Shirts, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. They 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 characters in Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Student Instructions:
Facilitate a group conversation where students share their character maps. This encourages students to compare insights, clarify misunderstandings, and deepen understanding of the book’s characters.
Explain guidelines for listening and responding to peers’ ideas. Establishing norms ensures a safe environment for all students to participate and learn from each other.
Ask questions like “Why do you think this character acted this way?” or “How do these challenges shape their decisions?” This sparks critical thinking and helps students explore character motivation.
Invite students to relate character experiences to real-world situations or their own experiences. Personal connections make the discussion more meaningful and memorable.
Recap the main ideas discussed and highlight how sharing different perspectives deepens comprehension. This helps students retain what they’ve learned and appreciate diverse viewpoints.
A character map for Al Capone Does My Shirts is a visual organizer that helps students track and analyze the main and supporting characters, their traits, relationships, challenges, and roles in the story, making it easier to understand the plot and character development.
To create a character map, have students identify key characters, select representations (like images or drawings), choose traits and backgrounds, and fill in details about each character’s attributes, interactions, and challenges using a template or digital tool.
A character map should include each character’s name, physical and personality traits, relationships with others, challenges faced, and their importance to the plot.
Using a character map helps students visualize relationships, track character development, and better understand the motivations and challenges faced by each character, which deepens comprehension of the novel.
To make character maps engaging, allow students to use color, images, digital tools, and creative backgrounds, encourage group collaboration, and connect traits or challenges to scenes from the book for meaningful analysis.