Anansi the Spider: Character Analysis with StoryboardThat

Q: What are the unique abilities of Anansi's six sons in 'Anansi the Spider'?

Anansi's six sons each have a special ability: See Trouble (sees danger ahead), Road Builder (creates roads quickly), River Drinker (drinks rivers dry), Game Skinner (skins animals), Stone Thrower (throws stones very far), and Cushion (softens falls). Each skill helps save Anansi in the story.

Q: How can students create a spider map of Anansi’s six sons?

To create a spider map , have students draw six branches from a center circle labeled 'Anansi’s Sons'. On each branch, write a son’s name, describe his unique ability, and add a simple illustration showing how he helped Anansi.

Q: What is the best way to teach Anansi’s six sons’ abilities to 2nd or 3rd graders?

Use a character map activity where students name each son, describe his power, and draw a scene from the story. This hands-on approach helps younger learners understand and remember the characters’ roles.

Q: Why are Anansi’s six sons important in the story?

Anansi's sons work together, each using their special talent to rescue Anansi from danger. Their teamwork shows the value of different strengths and family cooperation in solving problems.

Anansi's Six Sons Character Map Storyboard

More options

Copy Activity

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

Anansi’s six sons are an important part of the story: together they save him from great danger! For this activity, students will create a spider map that describes and illustrates the unique abilities that each of Anansi’s six sons possess, and how those abilities saved Anansi.

Anansi’s Sons from Anansi the Spider

See Trouble: He could see trouble a long way off. He knew that his father was in trouble and alerted the others.
Road Builder: He had a knack for building roads very quickly. He built a road for the brothers to safely walk on in order to look for their father.
River Drinker: He was able to drink whole rivers dry! When Anansi was swallowed by a fish, he drank the river in order to get to the fish.
Game Skinner: He was able to skin animals for his family. He split open the fish to get to Anansi inside.
Stone Thrower: He was able to throw stones really, really far! When a falcon took Anansi and started to fly away with him, Stone Thrower hit the falcon with a stone, causing it to release Anansi.
Cushion: He was very soft, like a cushion. When Anansi fell from the sky, he landed on Cushion safely.

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a 6 cell spider map that describes and illustrates each of Anansi’s six sons from Anansi the Spider.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
In the title boxes, write the son’s name.
In the description boxes, write a brief description of the son’s unique ability and how it was used to help Anansi in the story.
Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 2-3

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Analysis Rubric

Analyze a character by explaining specific ways he or she demonstrates several important character traits throughout the story.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Trait Analysis	Written explanation of the scene clearly and accurately explains the connection between the character's actions and his or her personality and character development.	Written explanation of the scene attempts to explain the scene's connection to the character's personality and development. Some explanations may be unclear.	Written explanation of the scenes fails to correctly explain the connection between the actions depicted and the character's personality and development.
Storyboard Scenes	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the character trait, through depiction of a specific instance in the text.	Storyboard cells show some connection with the character trait, through depiction of the novel, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand or fail to capture a specific event in the text.	Storyboard cells do not demonstrate the appropriate character traits or fail to include any specific textual references.
Effort and Editing	Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct.	Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar.	Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar.

Copy Activity

Lesson Plan Overview

Anansi’s Sons from Anansi the Spider

See Trouble: He could see trouble a long way off. He knew that his father was in trouble and alerted the others.
Road Builder: He had a knack for building roads very quickly. He built a road for the brothers to safely walk on in order to look for their father.
River Drinker: He was able to drink whole rivers dry! When Anansi was swallowed by a fish, he drank the river in order to get to the fish.
Game Skinner: He was able to skin animals for his family. He split open the fish to get to Anansi inside.
Stone Thrower: He was able to throw stones really, really far! When a falcon took Anansi and started to fly away with him, Stone Thrower hit the falcon with a stone, causing it to release Anansi.
Cushion: He was very soft, like a cushion. When Anansi fell from the sky, he landed on Cushion safely.

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a 6 cell spider map that describes and illustrates each of Anansi’s six sons from Anansi the Spider.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
In the title boxes, write the son’s name.
In the description boxes, write a brief description of the son’s unique ability and how it was used to help Anansi in the story.
Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 2-3

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Analysis Rubric

Analyze a character by explaining specific ways he or she demonstrates several important character traits throughout the story.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Trait Analysis	Written explanation of the scene clearly and accurately explains the connection between the character's actions and his or her personality and character development.	Written explanation of the scene attempts to explain the scene's connection to the character's personality and development. Some explanations may be unclear.	Written explanation of the scenes fails to correctly explain the connection between the actions depicted and the character's personality and development.
Storyboard Scenes	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the character trait, through depiction of a specific instance in the text.	Storyboard cells show some connection with the character trait, through depiction of the novel, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand or fail to capture a specific event in the text.	Storyboard cells do not demonstrate the appropriate character traits or fail to include any specific textual references.
Effort and Editing	Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct.	Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar.	Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar.

Copy Activity

How Tos about Anansi the Spider\'s Six Sons Analysis

Organize a collaborative Anansi character traits chart with your class

Guide your students to work together by creating a large, visible chart of Anansi's sons and their abilities. Assign each student or small group a son to research and present, then add their findings to the chart. This builds teamwork and deepens understanding through discussion.

Assign each student a son to research and illustrate

Have students choose or assign one of Anansi's six sons to focus on. Students will then research the character, summarize their unique ability, and draw a picture showing how that ability helped Anansi. This makes the lesson personal and engaging for each student.

Facilitate a classroom discussion about teamwork in the story

Lead a conversation about how the sons' talents worked together to save Anansi. Encourage students to share examples from the story and relate them to real-life situations where teamwork is important. This builds social-emotional connections and comprehension.

Display students' work around the classroom

Showcase each student's illustration and description by posting them on a bulletin board or wall. This not only celebrates student effort but also reinforces the content for everyone throughout the unit.

Wrap up with a creative writing extension

Invite students to invent a new 'son' for Anansi with a unique ability. Have them write a short paragraph explaining how their character could help Anansi in a new situation. This encourages creativity and applies knowledge in a fun way.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anansi the Spider\'s Six Sons Analysis

What are the unique abilities of Anansi's six sons in 'Anansi the Spider'?

Anansi's six sons each have a special ability: See Trouble (sees danger ahead), Road Builder (creates roads quickly), River Drinker (drinks rivers dry), Game Skinner (skins animals), Stone Thrower (throws stones very far), and Cushion (softens falls). Each skill helps save Anansi in the story.

How can students create a spider map of Anansi’s six sons?

To create a spider map, have students draw six branches from a center circle labeled 'Anansi’s Sons'. On each branch, write a son’s name, describe his unique ability, and add a simple illustration showing how he helped Anansi.

What is the best way to teach Anansi’s six sons’ abilities to 2nd or 3rd graders?

Use a character map activity where students name each son, describe his power, and draw a scene from the story. This hands-on approach helps younger learners understand and remember the characters’ roles.

Why are Anansi’s six sons important in the story?

Anansi's sons work together, each using their special talent to rescue Anansi from danger. Their teamwork shows the value of different strengths and family cooperation in solving problems.

Can you give examples of how each of Anansi’s sons helped save him?

Yes! For example, See Trouble spotted Anansi in danger, Road Builder made a path, River Drinker cleared the river, Game Skinner opened the fish, Stone Thrower saved Anansi from the falcon, and Cushion caught him safely when he fell.