In this activity, students should depict the characters of the story, paying close attention to the physical and character traits of the characters. Students should provide detailed information regarding how the person feels (or might have felt) in the main event. In addition, students can identify the challenges the person faced during the main event.
Characters included in the character map are:
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Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Spark imagination by having students write first-person diary entries from the perspective of a character aboard the Titanic. This helps them deepen empathy and connect personally with historical events.
Distribute character roles so each student represents someone from the Titanic, using your character map for guidance. Encourage variety to foster different viewpoints and richer classroom discussion.
Review key facts about the Titanic's voyage and disaster as a class. This sets the stage for authentic diary writing and grounds students in the story’s real-life background.
Ask students to describe their character’s thoughts, emotions, and obstacles faced during the main event. Encourage vivid details and personal reflections to bring the experience to life.
Invite students to read their entries aloud or in small groups. This builds empathy and understanding as students hear multiple perspectives from the Titanic’s story.
A character map for 'The Unsinkable Wreck of the RMS Titanic' is a visual organizer that helps students identify and describe the main characters, their physical and personality traits, feelings during the main event, and the challenges they faced. It supports deeper comprehension of the story.
To create a Titanic character map, list the major characters, select a representative image or symbol for each, and fill in boxes for their traits, feelings during the event, and key challenges. Encourage students to use colors, poses, and backgrounds that fit each character's story role.
The main characters to include are Dr. Robert D. Ballard, Frederick Fleet, First Officer William Murdoch, Captain E.J. Smith, Minnie Coutts, and Willie and Neville Coutts. Each played a significant role during the Titanic story or its discovery.
Students should focus on both physical traits (appearance, age) and character traits (bravery, leadership), as well as how each character felt about the main event and the unique challenges they faced during the Titanic disaster.
Creating a character map helps students organize information, recognize character motivations, and connect emotionally with the story. It enhances reading comprehension and supports higher-level thinking about the Titanic's events and people involved.