Activity Overview
In this activity, students can create a character map for the characters. This should be rather straightforward since there are only two main characters in the story, Boris and Amos, and then two characters with supporting roles: the elephants. Students can describe their physical appearance, list character traits, and include evidence from the text to support their traits.
Here is an example for Amos:
Physical Appearance
- a mouse
- very tiny
- covered in fur
Character Traits
- loves the ocean
- adventurous
- a good friend
Evidence
- "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse."
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 Amos and Boris and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character from the "Animals" 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 Textables for Physical Appearance, Character Traits, and Evidence.
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. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students can create a character map for the characters. This should be rather straightforward since there are only two main characters in the story, Boris and Amos, and then two characters with supporting roles: the elephants. Students can describe their physical appearance, list character traits, and include evidence from the text to support their traits.
Here is an example for Amos:
Physical Appearance
- a mouse
- very tiny
- covered in fur
Character Traits
- loves the ocean
- adventurous
- a good friend
Evidence
- "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse."
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 Amos and Boris and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character from the "Animals" 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 Textables for Physical Appearance, Character Traits, and Evidence.
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 Tos about Character Map Activity for Amos and Boris
How to Lead a Class Discussion on Character Traits in Amos and Boris
Engage your students in a lively class conversation about the unique traits of Amos and Boris. This helps deepen comprehension and encourages students to support their ideas with details from the text.
Start with a warm-up question about friendship
Ask students to share what makes a good friend or describe a time someone helped them. This connects their experiences to the themes in Amos and Boris and gets everyone thinking.
Display the character map for visual reference
Project or draw the class character map on the board. Point out key physical features and traits for Amos and Boris to anchor the discussion visually.
Encourage students to cite text evidence
Prompt students to support their ideas with quotes or examples from the story. This builds critical thinking and text analysis skills while keeping the conversation grounded in the book.
Wrap up with a reflection question
Invite students to discuss how Amos and Boris change or grow as friends by the end of the story. This helps students synthesize their ideas and connect the story to real-life friendships.
Frequently Asked Questions about Character Map Activity for Amos and Boris
How do you create a character map for Amos and Boris?
To create a character map for Amos and Boris, identify the main characters, describe their physical appearance and traits, then provide supporting evidence from the text. Use boxes for names, select animal images to represent each character, and fill in details such as colors, poses, and relevant backgrounds.
What are some character traits of Amos and Boris?
Amos is an adventurous, ocean-loving mouse who values friendship. Boris is a compassionate, supportive whale. Both characters show loyalty and kindness, as revealed through their actions and the story's evidence.
What evidence from the text supports Amos’s character traits?
Evidence supporting Amos's character traits includes descriptions like "Boris admired the delicacy, the quivering daintiness, the light touch, the small voice, the gemlike radiance of the mouse," showing he is gentle, unique, and cherished by others.
What are easy steps for students to complete a character map activity?
Students should: 1) Identify major characters, 2) Add their names to title boxes, 3) Choose animal representations, 4) Select fitting colors and backgrounds, and 5) Fill in sections for Physical Appearance, Character Traits, and Evidence from the story.
Why is character mapping useful for teaching Amos and Boris?
Character mapping helps students analyze characters, recognize important traits, and connect textual evidence to their interpretations. It makes comprehension interactive, especially for young readers learning about characterization in stories like Amos and Boris.
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