In this activity, students create an outline for the characters in the story, paying close attention to the feelings and actions of both major and minor characters. Students can also provide detailed information regarding the character’s actions, how they influence other characters, and how the main character changed over time.
Characters included in the character map are:
(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.
Encourage students to step into the shoes of each character by discussing their motivations, feelings, and challenges. This deepens understanding and builds empathy for diverse experiences in the story.
Help students link what characters do in the story to real events in baseball history. This makes learning more relevant and helps students see how individual choices shaped the world around them.
Ask students to identify similarities and differences between key characters’ growth. This comparison sharpens critical thinking and highlights how different backgrounds influence perspectives and actions.
Organize a gallery walk or small group sessions for students to share their maps. Peer feedback encourages new insights and helps everyone refine their understanding of the story’s characters.
Invite students to reflect on their maps in writing or discussion. This solidifies comprehension and allows students to express how their ideas about the characters evolved during the activity.
A character map for 'We Are the Ship' is a visual organizer where students outline key characters, their traits, actions, feelings, and relationships to help understand the story’s dynamics and character development.
Start by listing main characters like Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey. Then, have students choose images or icons to represent each, select fitting colors or poses, and add notes about their actions, feelings, and changes throughout the story.
Key characters to include are Branch Rickey, Jackie Robinson, Gus Greenlee, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, James “Cool Papa” Bell, A. B. “Happy” Chandler, and Andrew “Rube” Foster.
Creating a character map helps students visualize relationships, track character development, and better understand how individual actions and feelings shape the story’s events and themes.
Pick colors that reflect each character’s personality or mood, and select poses that match their actions in the story. For example, use strong poses for leaders and softer colors for reflective characters.