The Pearl Character Evolution Activity

Activity Overview

An essential part of any story is its characters. Characters drive plot forward and help create and resolve conflicts. Characters are also the main reason a story exists. However, as a story is told, characters often change or evolve with the plot. Whether being hit by forces outside their control or due to figurative internal battles, many of a character's attributes are a result of the events that occur. For students, it is important to track the evolution of a character so that they can fully understand what effects and influences can change a person. Using the character evolution lesson plan below, engage your students with a character evolution map!

A fantastic assignment for students would be to track Kino’s character progression throughout the novel. The pearl clearly affects Kino more than any other character and because of this, he evolves and changes greatly from the exposition to the resolution. Using the template and example below have your students find quotes or use describing words to explain the change in Kino from the beginning to the end.

Copy Activity*

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 storyboard that shows the evolution of Kino throughout the course of The Pearl.

Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does Kino have?
Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
Identify major events in each part of the story that affected Kino.

Character Evolution Template - Novel/Story

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Character Development

Copy Activity*

Rubric

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

Character Evolution and Analysis

Characters tend to change or evolve with events that happen in the plot of a story. Track the evolution of a primary character throughout the story, highlighting their key traits and the events that impact them during the exposition, conflict/rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Create a storyboard that depicts each event, along with a brief description of their traits at each point in the plot, and an analysis of how events in the plot impact or change the character.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 27 Points	Beginning 22 Points	Try Again 17 Points
Character Evolution Traits and Analysis	The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.	Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole.
Artistic Depictions	The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction.	The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort.	Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction.
English Conventions	Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading.	Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading.	Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.	Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading.