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.
| 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 |
(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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.