As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in All American Boys. They will pay 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. Teachers may also wish to include additional information for students to keep track of.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a character map for the major characters in All American Boys.
Student Instructions:
Encourage students to relate characters to their own lives or current events. Making personal connections deepens their understanding and empathy, helping them better analyze character motivations and actions.
Demonstrate how to pull specific quotes or details from the novel to support character traits. This helps students justify their observations and builds critical reading skills.
Ask students to track how a character evolves from the beginning to the end of the story. This encourages deeper analysis and helps them understand character development.
Organize students into groups to compare how different characters view key events. Collaborative talk fosters multiple viewpoints and strengthens comprehension.
Assign students to create diary entries, social media posts, or illustrations from a character’s point of view. Creative expression makes character study engaging and memorable.
A character map for All American Boys is a visual tool that helps students organize key information about each character, such as traits, relationships, and challenges, to better understand how they contribute to the story.
To create a character map, list each major character, select images or symbols to represent them, and fill in details like physical/character traits, relationships, and conflicts. Tools like Storyboard That can help visualize and organize this information.
Students should include major characters like Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins, as well as important minor characters who influence the plot, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the novel’s dynamics.
Include each character’s physical/character traits, their interactions with the main characters, significant challenges faced, and their importance to the plot. Adding visuals or relevant backgrounds enhances engagement.
Character mapping helps students track details and relationships, making it easier to follow plot developments and analyze character motivations, which deepens comprehension and engagement with the novel.