“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!
(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 6-8
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group
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 all appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect strong understanding of the book's most important characters. | Most of the characters and scenes are appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect emerging understanding of the book's most important characters. | Many of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. The project reflects a lack of understanding of the major characters. |
| 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. | Much of the information of the notes is incomplete and/or incorrect and irrelevant. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
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!
(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 6-8
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group
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 all appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect strong understanding of the book's most important characters. | Most of the characters and scenes are appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect emerging understanding of the book's most important characters. | Many of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. The project reflects a lack of understanding of the major characters. |
| 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. | Much of the information of the notes is incomplete and/or incorrect and irrelevant. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
Have students interview a character from The Prince and the Pauper as if they are reporters. This activity encourages deeper analysis and helps students empathize with the characters by thinking about their motivations and experiences.
Divide the class so each student or group focuses on a different character. This ensures variety in responses and lets everyone get involved. Assign characters based on interest or randomly for a mix of perspectives.
Guide students to create 5–7 open-ended questions that explore the character’s thoughts, feelings, and choices. Encourage them to ask about key events and how the character feels about other people in the story.
Have students take turns being the interviewer and the character. They can perform for the class or in small groups. This step helps students practice empathy and public speaking skills.
Ask students to write a quick reflection about what they learned from the interview. This helps them connect with the text and deepen comprehension of character traits and motivations.
A character map for The Prince and the Pauper is a visual tool that helps students organize and track key details about the main characters, including their traits, relationships, and roles in the story.
Guide students to list the major characters, choose images or symbols to represent each one, and fill in sections for character traits, interactions with the main character, and the narrator’s attitude. Encourage creativity in selecting colors and backgrounds that match each character’s personality.
Character mapping helps students recall important details, understand character relationships, and notice small traits that become significant as the plot develops, making the reading experience richer and more engaging.
The main characters to include are Tom Canty, Edward VI, John Canty, Tom’s mother, Uncle Hertford, King Henry VIII, The Hermit, Miles Hendon, and Hugh Hendon.
Students should fill in information such as character traits, how each character interacts with the main character, and what the narrator's attitude is toward them, using concise notes and visual cues where possible.
“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