For a shorter activity, consider using single storyboard squares to have students depict Douglass’s important character traits. Students will identify a character quality that stands out to them and depict a scene through which Douglass exhibits this quality. Students can explain their reasoning in a text box below the image, or can include an accompanying quotation from the narrative.
For Douglass, the hardest part about running away is leaving behind his close friends in Baltimore. The thought of being separated from them almost makes him stay behind.
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Student Instructions
Create a single cell storyboard depicting one of Frederick Douglass' character traits.
Engage students in a whole-class conversation about Douglass’s qualities to deepen understanding and encourage diverse perspectives. Group discussions help students articulate and expand their thinking while building respectful listening skills.
List Douglass’s traits on the board as students share their ideas. Encourage everyone to contribute, reinforcing collaborative learning and activating prior knowledge.
Invite students to find passages or quotes that support each character trait. This strengthens close reading skills and teaches students to back up their ideas with evidence.
Guide students to relate Douglass’s qualities to people they know or admire. Making personal connections increases engagement and helps students internalize character lessons.
Have students jot down which character trait of Douglass they find most inspiring and why. This quick reflection checks understanding and helps you assess student learning.
The Frederick Douglass Character Trait Square is a short lesson where students pick a key character trait of Douglass, illustrate a scene showing that trait, and explain their reasoning or add a supporting quote from his narrative.
To create a storyboard square, choose a trait that Douglass shows, illustrate a scene reflecting it, and write a summary or include a quote explaining your choice, all in a single cell format.
Examples of Douglass’s character traits include courage, determination, loyalty, resilience, and hope. Select any trait that stands out and find a scene that best represents it.
Identifying character traits helps students understand Douglass’s personality, motivations, and the historical context, deepening their connection to the text and its themes.
This activity is designed for grades 6–12 and can be adapted for various skill levels from developing to mastery.