In this activity, students will depict the characters of the poem, paying close attention to their physical and character traits, and identifying the character’s actions that demonstrate these traits. Students will also identify the challenges the characters face.
Characters included in the character map are:
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Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Boost students’ understanding by using character maps during guided reading or whole-class discussions. This helps students connect character traits and actions directly to the text, making comprehension more interactive and memorable.
Demonstrate how to analyze a character by thinking out loud as you fill in one section of the map. Explain your reasoning for choosing certain traits or actions so students see the thought process in action.
Ask students to find specific lines or events in the poem that support their choices on the character map. Highlighting text evidence strengthens close reading skills and supports deeper analysis.
Promote collaboration by having students compare their character maps with a peer or small group. Discussing similarities and differences helps students refine their ideas and learn from each other.
Extend learning by having students write a diary entry or create a comic strip from a character’s perspective, using their completed maps as inspiration. Creative extensions reinforce understanding and engage different learning styles.
A character map for 'Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf' is a visual organizer that helps students identify and analyze the main characters, their traits, actions, and challenges in the poem. It typically includes descriptions, illustrations, and examples of each character’s behavior.
To create a character map, list the main characters, select or draw images to represent them, and fill in sections for their physical traits, personality traits, actions, and challenges. Use tools like Storyboard That for a digital version or draw one by hand for classroom activities.
In Roald Dahl’s poem, Little Red Riding Hood is clever, resourceful, and bold. She surprises the wolf with her quick thinking and confidence, showing she is not easily frightened or fooled.
Recognizing the challenges each character faces helps students understand character development, motivations, and the poem’s message. It encourages deeper reading and empathy by revealing how characters respond to problems.
The best way is to have students work individually or in pairs to create character maps, either digitally or on paper. This supports comprehension, critical thinking, and engagement by prompting students to connect details from the text with visual and written analysis.