“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
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!
Depict the characters as symbols and ideas, as human characters, or a combination of the two. In the example below, Chaos is the only "character" represented symbolically.
(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.
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Character Map
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
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!
Depict the characters as symbols and ideas, as human characters, or a combination of the two. In the example below, Chaos is the only "character" represented symbolically.
(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.
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Character Map
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a set of Greek mythological characters to research. This fosters teamwork and lets students dive deeply into their assigned figures.
Ask each student to take on a specific research role such as summarizer, illustrator, or fact-checker. Clear responsibilities help everyone stay engaged and ensure all character details are accurate and creative.
Instruct groups to find each character’s parentage, domain, powers, and mythological significance using classroom resources and age-appropriate websites. Focusing on these elements builds a strong foundation for their maps.
Encourage students to use symbols, colors, and creative backgrounds that represent each character’s traits or story role. Visual choices help make the map memorable and meaningful for all learners.
Have each group present their section of the character map to the class and discuss what they learned. Presenting builds confidence and allows the whole class to see connections between characters.
A character map for the Greek Creation Myth is a visual tool where students track major characters, their relationships, domains, and significance, making it easier to understand and remember key details as the myth unfolds.
To create a character map, have students identify major characters, select images or symbols for each, and fill in details like parentage, powers, and roles. Use a storyboard or template for organization and visual appeal.
Include Chaos/Chasm, Gaia/Gaea, Ouranos, Kronos, Rhea, and Zeus in a Greek Creation Myth character map, as they are central to the story's origins and relationships.
Character mapping helps students track relationships, spot subtle traits, and deepen comprehension, making complex stories like Greek myths more accessible and engaging for all learners.
For grades 6–12, let students choose colors, symbols, and backgrounds that match each character's traits, and encourage creativity by mixing human and symbolic representations to boost engagement and memory.
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher