Activity Overview
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!
For To Kill a Mockingbird, a character map helps students remember the characters, and their interactions with Scout, Jem and Atticus. Many of the characters in the novel are dynamic, changing over the course of the book.
Copying this assignment will add both the example above and a blank template to your account for you to customize as desired. It can be helpful to edit it with specific questions about characters you want your students to answer. Tailoring this map with a guided note style helps students with recall and comprehension.
Major To Kill a Mockingbird Characters
| Atticus Finch | Father, and prominent lawyer |
|---|---|
| Scout (Jean Louise Finch) | Main protagonist |
| Jem Finch | Brother of Scout |
| Tom Robinson | Black defendant on trial |
| Boo (Arthur Radley) | Reclusive neighbor |
| Bob Ewell | Accuses Tom of rape, tries to hurt Scout and Jem |
| Dill (Charles Baker Haris) | Nephew of Mrs. Rachel. A friend of Scout and Jem |
| Calpurnia | The Finches' cook |
| Miss Maudie Atkinson | Neighbor and friend to the Finches |
| Aunt Alexandra | Atticus's sister |
| Mayella Ewell | Bob's daughter. The woman Tom was accused of raping |
| Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose | Townsmen lives in mulatto community |
| Mr. Walter Cunningham Sr. | Townsmen, racist |
| Walter Cunningham Jr. | School boy who bullies Scout |
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Identify the major characters in To Kill a Mockingbird and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character from the "1900s" tab to represent each of the literary characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in the text boxes for Physical Appearance, Traits, Relatives, and Friends.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(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 both appropriate for the book's characters. | Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters. | More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. |
| 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. | Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. |
| Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. |
How To Conduct the Character Mapping Activity
Introduce Activity
Introduce character mapping to students and how they can use this activity to understand the storyline and characters better. Teachers can briefly discuss all the elements that can be included in the character map.
Give Examples
Give the students an example by helping them analyze a character map of any famous character. This character can be from a book or a movie and it should be famous enough for students to recognize. If students are already aware of the character, the analysis will become easier for them.
Distribute Graphic Organizers
Hand out graphic organizers made especially for character mapping to your students. They could be templates, tables, or diagrams that serve as a roadmap for organizing character information.
Group Discussion
Teachers can divide the class into smaller groups and then each group can select their preferred character to make the character map. It is also up to the group to decide what elements they want to put on the map besides the basic ones.
Present Work in Class
After each group is done with their work, they can present their findings in front of the whole class. Especially, groups who chose same characters can compare and contrast different perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mapping Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
What makes character mapping in "To Kill a Mockingbird" so crucial?
Understanding the personalities, motivations, relationships, and character development of the characters is made easier for readers through character mapping. It gives a visual picture of how various characters affect the themes and overall plot of the story. It can also help the readers form a deeper connection with the characters and relate their experiences with themselves.
Which characters in "To Kill a Mockingbird" should I concentrate on when mapping?
Pay close attention to important characters that have a big role in the story, like Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, Boo Radley, Calpurnia, Tom Robinson, Mayella Ewell, and others. It is important to keep your focus on the primary characters because the behavior of other characters is also influenced by them.
What typical mistakes should you steer clear of while characterizing "To Kill a Mockingbird"?
Be careful not to oversimplify characters or to use only physical descriptions. Make sure your map captures the complexity and development of the characters throughout the book. Students should especially focus on the character growth and the impact of certain obstacles and events on some of the characters.
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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