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!
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Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Encourage students to share their character maps in small groups or as a whole class. Collaborative discussion helps students recognize diverse perspectives and strengthens comprehension.
Model how to ask questions like, "Why do you think Tris made that choice?" or "What motivates Four to act this way?" Open-ended questions spark richer analysis and classroom dialogue.
Remind students to support their character map notes with quotes or specific moments from the book. This boosts critical thinking and grounds observations in the text.
Suggest students add drawings, icons, or symbols to their character maps. Visual elements help students remember key traits and make maps more engaging.
Encourage students to discuss how a character’s choices relate to major themes like bravery, identity, or belonging. This deepens understanding and connects analysis to larger ideas.
A character map is a visual tool that records details about characters’ traits, motivations, and relationships. For Divergent, it helps students track important information, making it easier to follow the story and understand character development.
To make a Divergent character map, list the major characters, assign each a visual or color, and fill in categories like appearance, motivations, and interactions with Tris. Use sentences or bullet points for each, and encourage background scenes that fit the story.
Tris Prior is known for her bravery, curiosity, and strong sense of identity. She faces difficult choices, questions authority, and grows into a leader throughout the novel.
Character mapping helps students remember details, see how characters change, and understand their roles in the plot. This makes reading novels like Divergent more engaging and meaningful.
Encourage students to look for recurring names, pay attention to who interacts most with Tris, and note which characters drive the plot forward. Discussing characters as a class also helps clarify their importance.