In this activity, students can create a character map for the characters. This should be rather straightforward since there are only two main characters in the story, Boris and Amos, and then two characters with supporting roles: the elephants. Students can describe their physical appearance, list character traits, and include evidence from the text to support their traits.
Here is an example for Amos:
(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.
Engage your students in a lively class conversation about the unique traits of Amos and Boris. This helps deepen comprehension and encourages students to support their ideas with details from the text.
Ask students to share what makes a good friend or describe a time someone helped them. This connects their experiences to the themes in Amos and Boris and gets everyone thinking.
Project or draw the class character map on the board. Point out key physical features and traits for Amos and Boris to anchor the discussion visually.
Prompt students to support their ideas with quotes or examples from the story. This builds critical thinking and text analysis skills while keeping the conversation grounded in the book.
Invite students to discuss how Amos and Boris change or grow as friends by the end of the story. This helps students synthesize their ideas and connect the story to real-life friendships.
To create a character map for Amos and Boris, identify the main characters, describe their physical appearance and traits, then provide supporting evidence from the text. Use boxes for names, select animal images to represent each character, and fill in details such as colors, poses, and relevant backgrounds.
Amos is an adventurous, ocean-loving mouse who values friendship. Boris is a compassionate, supportive whale. Both characters show loyalty and kindness, as revealed through their actions and the story's evidence.
Evidence supporting Amos's character traits includes descriptions like "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse," showing he is gentle, unique, and cherished by others.
Students should: 1) Identify major characters, 2) Add their names to title boxes, 3) Choose animal representations, 4) Select fitting colors and backgrounds, and 5) Fill in sections for Physical Appearance, Character Traits, and Evidence from the story.
Character mapping helps students analyze characters, recognize important traits, and connect textual evidence to their interpretations. It makes comprehension interactive, especially for young readers learning about characterization in stories like Amos and Boris.