Activity Overview
Josh and JB are identical twins, but they are very different. Josh had long hair (well, HAD long hair!) and JB shaves his head. Josh is quiet and JB is loud. Josh wants to go to Duke and JB wants to go to UNC. They both struggle with finding their own identity, while still remaining close knit and growing up together. For this activity, students will create a T chart, comparing the two main characters.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Complete a chart comparing Josh and JB in The Crossover.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Identify the traits you will compare and type them into the title boxes (examples include hair, school, personality).
- Write a description in the box below.
- Create an image to illustrate each character's traits using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compare and Contrast | Text includes a clear explanation of similarities and differences between the characters. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding. | Text includes an explanation of similarities and differences between the characters, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding. | Text may include no explanation of similarities and differences between the characters, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Storyboard Design | Student clearly shows effort, time and care to include appropriate StoryboardThat characters for each book character and uses items, animals or scenes in their design to describe their characters attributes. | Depictions of characters and their attributes are mostly accurate to the story but may have some discrepancies. The depictions show minimal effort, time, and care. | Many depictions of characters and their attributes are inaccurate or they are missing. There was very little time or effort put into the depictions. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes a minor error in spelling and grammar. | Student makes several minor errors in spelling and grammar. |
How To Understand and Explain Josh’s Character Growth in The Crossover
Explore Themes
Help the students to identify themes present in the story so they can analyze the central idea of the story and what kind of growth the characters will experience. Teachers can first ask the students to perform some theme-related activities to make a foundation for the lecture and later talk about character development and growth.
Discuss Turning Points
Discuss with students how the main events in the story are crucial for the growth and development of any character. Ask them to identify the main turning points in the story such as JB cutting Josh’s hair as he lost or Josh finding out his Dad had passed. Students can prepare a separate analysis of how each of these events led to Josh’s growth.
Talk About Conflicts
Ask the students to identify and analyze the types of conflicts that Josh experiences. For instance, his rivalry and fight with his brother and the internal confusion he was experiencing about his own identity had a serious impact on his character arc. Students can analyze all such instances to understand how they lead to character growth.
Come Before and After
Students can list Josh’s personality traits at the start of the story and his personality at the end of the story in two columns and then bridge the gap between the beginning and the end by listing down the reasons for these changes.
Reflect and Discuss
Encourage the students to reflect on all the information that they have discussed so far. They can also prepare a critical report on how each event resulted in a particular change. Students can compare the growth each character experienced throughout the course of the story and how it formed a connection.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Crossover Character Comparison
What are some of the major distinctions and similarities between Josh and his brother JB?
Although they both enjoy basketball, Josh is more contemplative and begins to experiment with poetry. JB is more gregarious and initially just thinks about basketball. They also approach problems in various ways. Josh and JB commonly share a love for football and both want to play it professionally but at different universities. They encounter comparable difficulties when attempting to live up to their father's expectations.
What role does basketball play throughout the story?
Josh grows to appreciate other kinds of self-expression and realizes there is more to life than simply basketball. JB discovers the value of balance and refrains from devoting his entire self to the game. Both the characters have an important connection with basketball as their lives and future decisions revolve around this game.
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