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. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
Here is an example for Pickles the Fire Cat.
(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.
Character maps help students organize information about major story characters, making it easier to follow plots and understand motivations. This strategy boosts reading comprehension by encouraging students to pay attention to details as they read.
Choose a character from the story and fill out a character map together as a class. Model how to find physical traits, personality, and evidence from the text. This example gives students a clear starting point and builds their confidence.
Ask students to identify the most important characters in the story. Discuss why each character is significant. This step ensures students focus on characters who drive the plot or have meaningful development.
Let students work alone or with a partner to create their own character maps for selected characters. Encourage use of specific details and textual evidence for each trait or appearance.
Invite students to share their character maps with the class or in small groups. Compare different interpretations and evidence. This builds critical thinking and deepens understanding of the story’s characters.
A character map is a visual organizer that helps students track details about key characters in The Fire Cat, including their physical appearance, traits, and supporting evidence from the story. This makes it easier to understand character development and follow the plot.
To create a character map, students identify major characters from The Fire Cat, select images or drawings to represent them, and add sections for physical appearance, character traits, and evidence from the book. This can be done individually or in pairs, using templates or digital tools.
Pickles the Fire Cat is described as having big paws, being young, a quick learner, a hard worker, and being mixed-up (not strictly good or bad). These traits are supported by quotes from the story.
Character mapping helps young readers organize information about characters, making it easier to recall details, follow the story, and understand character motivations. It also encourages deeper engagement and comprehension.
The best way is to use a storyboard template where students can add images, backgrounds, and text boxes for each character’s appearance, traits, and evidence. This visual approach supports different learning styles and makes character analysis more interactive.