Activity Overview
By creating a character map, students are able to visualize the characters in the story, paying close attention to the physical traits, character traits, enemies, and friends of both major and minor characters. This is particularly helpful in understanding how the characters connect with one another and how their relationships impact the plot.
Characters included in the character map are:
- Despereaux
- Princess Pea
- The King
- The Queen
- Miggery Sow
- Gregory
- Roscuro
- Botticelli
- The Cook
- Furlough
- Lester
- Hovis
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 The Tale of Despereaux and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character 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, Enemies, 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Character Map for The Tale of Despereaux
Why create a Character Map for "The Tale of Despereaux"?
Creating a Character Map for "The Tale of Despereaux" serves as a valuable tool for readers and students because it helps deepen their understanding of the story's characters. By visually organizing details about each character, including their physical traits, personality, relationships, and roles in the plot, readers gain a holistic view of the story's cast. This not only enhances comprehension but also allows readers to track character development and transformations throughout the narrative. Character Maps also encourage critical thinking and analysis, as students delve into the nuances of each character's motivations and contributions to the story's overall themes.
Which characters should be included in the Character Map?
When creating a Character Map for "The Tale of Despereaux," it's essential to include both major and significant minor characters. Major characters, such as Despereaux, Princess Pea, and Roscuro, play central roles in the story and undergo substantial development. Additionally, including significant minor characters, like Miggery Sow or Gregory the jailer, enriches the understanding of various subplots and character interactions. Essentially, any character whose presence impacts the plot, themes, or other characters in a meaningful way should be included in the Character Map. This comprehensive approach ensures that readers grasp the full tapestry of characters that contribute to the book's narrative depth.
What information should be included in the Character Map for each character?
Each character's entry in the Character Map should encompass a range of details. These details typically include physical traits, such as age, appearance, and distinctive features, helping readers visualize the characters. Character traits and personality descriptions delve into their motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors, giving insights into their psychological makeup. Relationships between characters can be represented through connecting lines or descriptions, elucidating familial bonds, friendships, conflicts, or alliances. Furthermore, it's essential to capture each character's role in the story, detailing their contributions to the plot's progression and overall themes. Quotes or dialogue snippets from the characters can also be added to provide direct insights into their personalities and words. These comprehensive Character Maps offer readers a multifaceted understanding of each character's significance in "The Tale of Despereaux."
How to Analyze Character Motivations through Inner Monologues
Introduction
Begin the lesson by explaining the importance of understanding character motivations in literature. Introduce the concept of inner monologues as a tool for exploring characters' thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Share the specific focus on "The Tale of Despereaux" and its characters. Provide an overview of the lesson's objective: to analyze character motivations through the creation of inner monologues.
Model Inner Monologue Analysis
Select a character from "The Tale of Despereaux" and model the process of analyzing character motivations through an inner monologue. Use a passage or scene from the book that provides insight into the character's thoughts and feelings. Discuss how to extract key information from the text, including character goals, conflicts, and emotional states. Demonstrate how to craft an inner monologue based on the character's perspective, using textual evidence to support the character's motivations.
Guided Practice
Divide the class into small groups or pairs. Assign each group a different character from the book and provide them with specific passages or scenes that reveal character motivations. Instruct students to collaboratively analyze the character's motivations through an inner monologue. Encourage them to identify the character's goals, desires, fears, and conflicts based on the provided text. Assist groups as needed, providing guidance on crafting effective inner monologues.
Group Sharing and Discussion
Have each group share their inner monologues and insights with the class. Lead a class discussion focused on character motivations, using the inner monologues as evidence. Encourage students to compare and contrast the motivations of different characters and explore how these motivations drive the story's plot and conflicts. Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the significance of understanding character motivations in literature.
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Tale of Despereaux, The
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