create a character map / Lesson Plan

Create Your Own Custom Lesson Plan
PDF

Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to create a detailed character map that explores the traits, motivations, and relationships of a character from a book or story they enjoy. This will enhance their understanding of character development and storytelling.

Materials and Prep

  • Paper
  • Pencil or pen
  • Colored pencils or markers (optional)
  • A book or story with a character to analyze

Before the lesson, choose a book or story that the student is familiar with, ensuring it has a character with depth and complexity. This will make the character mapping more engaging.

Activities

  1. Character Brainstorming:

    Start by brainstorming the main character's name and a few key traits. Ask the student to think about what makes this character unique. Encourage them to write down adjectives that describe the character's personality, appearance, and behavior.

  2. Relationship Mapping:

    Have the student draw lines connecting the main character to other characters in the story. They should label these connections with a brief description of the relationship (e.g., "friend," "enemy," "mentor"). This will help them visualize how the character interacts with others.

  3. Motivation Exploration:

    Ask the student to think about what motivates the character. They can write down the character's goals, fears, and desires. This activity will deepen their understanding of the character's actions throughout the story.

  4. Creative Presentation:

    Finally, let the student present their character map. They can explain the character's traits, relationships, and motivations to you. Encourage them to be creative—perhaps they can even draw the character or create a short skit based on their character's story!

Talking Points

  • "What do you think makes a character interesting? Is it their personality, their story, or something else?"
  • "Let's think about how this character changes throughout the story. Do they grow or learn something?"
  • "Why do you think this character acts the way they do? What motivates them?"
  • "How do the relationships this character has affect their decisions? Can you think of a moment in the story that shows this?"
  • "If you could change one thing about this character, what would it be and why?"
  • "Can you relate to this character in any way? Do you share similar traits or experiences?"
  • "What do you think the author wants us to learn from this character's journey?"
  • "How would you describe this character to someone who has never read the story?"
  • "What do you think is the most important trait of this character? Why?"
  • "Is there a moment in the story where you felt really connected to this character? What happened?"
  • "How does this character's story compare to others you have read? What makes it unique?"
  • "What would you like to know more about this character? Is there a part of their story that is unclear?"