Mapping Freckle Juice Characters

Activity Overview

In this activity, students can create a character map of the characters in Freckle Juice. They can describe character traits and provide textual evidence for those traits. After brainstorming possible character traits and creating a word bank with your class, have student choose one word to describe each character in the story. They can also list specific evidence in their character map; for example, what the character says, thinks, feels, and does to support their character trait.

This character map can be modified to cater to specific classroom needs, and both the example above and a blank template will be copied into your account. Students can answer more specific questions about the characters, or describe how their actions affect they plot. They could also write about different characters’ opinions of freckles, and support their ideas with textual evidence.

Possible character traits for characters in Freckle Juice:

Andrew Marcus:
Self-conscious, shy, curious, jealous, gullible, desperate, determined

Nicky Lane:
Self- conscious, aloof

Sharon:
Greedy, sneaky, intelligent, clever, determined

Miss Kelly:
Strict, patient, forgiving, kind, clever

Mrs. Marcus:
Caring, strict

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Template and Class Instructions

(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.

Identify the major characters in Freckle Juice and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Character Description and Important Quote.

More options

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 2-3

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Character Map

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/2/3] Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
[ELA-Literacy/RL/2/6] Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

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Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Map Template

Create a character map of the characters in the story. Put the character's name in the title boxes and choose a character and scene to represent each one. As you read, take notes on the characters by answering the questions.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Picture & Scene	The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters.	Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters.	More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book.
Accuracy of Notes	Most of the information of the notes is correct.	Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing.	Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant.
Effort	Work is complete, thorough, and neat.	Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable.	Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized.

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How To Explain Character Mapping To Younger Students

Introduce Character Analysis

Introduce students to the concept of basic character analysis. Tell them the most basic things they need to observe to map a character map. Since younger students are more familiar with concepts such as appearance, ask them to observe the appearance of different characters.

Explain Character Traits

After imparting the basic concept, get the students familiar with character traits such as kind, strong, intelligent, etc. Explain to them that these are the unique qualities of each person that make them special. For better understanding, teachers can assign the task of writing one character trait to students for each of their friends or classmates.

Draw a Map

Teachers can draw a map on the whiteboard to explain with practice. The map can be simple enough to present 2-3 boxes for the main characters and a few questions about these characters. Then teachers can begin to ask these questions and write the answers in the boxes.

Talk about the Characters’ Relationships

Describe how people in a story may have other relationships, such as those with friends or family. Connect characters who are connected or close pals with lines in different colors.

Review in New Narratives

Continue to use the character mapping approach as you read various stories. Repetition will help them comprehend more clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Characters in Freckle Juice

What character traits best describe Andrew's personality?

Andrew is a little impetuous, enthusiastic, and interested. He would do everything to get his desired freckles since he is so committed to having them. He also seems one of those characters who would go to great lengths to achieve their goals but at the same time, he has self-doubt and is not completely confident with his own appearance.

What adjectives best define Nicky's personality?

Nicky looks confident and at ease with his freckles, even if the article doesn't go into great detail about his personality.

How does Sharon fit into the narrative?

Andrew's classmate and friend is Sharon. She is crucial to the plot because she gives Andrew the formula for freckles in return for cash. She gives Andrew the inspiration to obtain the freckles he wants.

What does Andrew do to obtain Sharon's recipe for freckles?

Andrew promises to give Sharon five bucks in return for her top-secret recipe for freckles. Sharon consents to this arrangement, and Andrew gets the formula in the hope that it may enable him to develop true freckles.