In this activity, students will depict the characters of the story using a character map. Have students pay close attention to the physical and character traits of both major and minor characters. Students will provide detailed information regarding how the characters interact with the main characters, as well as challenges the characters face.
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Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Introduce the concept of character traits to students and how these traits make up a personality. Ask the students to mention any traits that they know of or they like. Teachers can mention character traits of some popular cartoon characters that students are familiar with as an example.
Provide students with some character traits vocabulary and words that they can read and familiarize themselves with. For instance, if you are curious it means you want to know more about everything, honest means you do not lie and always tell the truth, etc. Once students are familiar with some basic vocabulary, they will be able to recognize these traits in a better way.
Once students are familiar with more character traits vocabulary, ask them to describe their personality in three words and the personality of their closest friends in three words. If there is a certain description that students have in their minds but can not find the word for, teachers can provide some guidance.
Encourage students to read books and recommend books with strong characters so that students can get inspiration. Ask the students to highlight as many character traits of the main characters and the side characters as they can find. Students can even list down these traits or create trait charts for different characters.
When the students exhibit virtuous attributes, compliment them. Give concrete instances and a justification for why the action was commendable. Help them make distinctions between positive character traits and negative traits and lead by example.
Mary Lennox, Colin Craven, and Dickon Sowerby are the central figures in "The Secret Garden". Most of these characters experience healing and growth with the help of the secret garden present in the narrative.
Throughout the course of the narrative, Mary experiences a dramatic metamorphosis. She develops more compassion, curiosity, and independence as she spends time at Misselthwaite Manor and learns about the secret garden. She gains the ability to establish sincere relationships with people. Everyone is shocked and happy because of Mary’s growth and she also helps other people develop throughout the story.