Activity Overview
Callie and her family came across many challenges in the novel Calico Girl. Joseph is sold, they must escape enslavement, Little Charlie dies, and they must adapt to a new way of living. For this activity, students will create a 3 cell spider map illustrating and describing three challenges that Callie and her family came across. Teachers can provide students with a list of challenges or see what they choose for themselves! Students can also choose to focus on a singular character, or the family as a whole.
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 spider map that identifies challenges that Callie and her family face in Calico Girl. Illustrate instances of each challenge and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the challenges you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this challenge using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The challenge descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The challenge descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The challenge descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the challenges using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the challenges, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the challenges. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Callie and her family came across many challenges in the novel Calico Girl. Joseph is sold, they must escape enslavement, Little Charlie dies, and they must adapt to a new way of living. For this activity, students will create a 3 cell spider map illustrating and describing three challenges that Callie and her family came across. Teachers can provide students with a list of challenges or see what they choose for themselves! Students can also choose to focus on a singular character, or the family as a whole.
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 spider map that identifies challenges that Callie and her family face in Calico Girl. Illustrate instances of each challenge and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the challenges you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this challenge using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The challenge descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The challenge descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The challenge descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the challenges using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the challenges, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the challenges. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Challenges in Calico Girl
How to Facilitate a Meaningful Class Discussion About Calico Girl’s Challenges
Engage students by asking open-ended questions about the challenges faced by Callie and her family. Encourage multiple perspectives and invite students to support their ideas with examples from the text. This deepens understanding and builds empathy.
Set clear expectations for participation
Explain that respectful listening and thoughtful responses are essential. Model how to build on classmates’ ideas and encourage every student to contribute in their own way.
Prepare text-based discussion prompts
Craft questions that require students to reference specific events or dialogue in Calico Girl. Use prompts like “What choice would you have made?” to spark meaningful conversation.
Assign roles to guide conversation
Designate student roles such as “summarizer,” “question asker,” or “connector” to keep discussion focused and inclusive. Switch roles regularly to build confidence and skills.
Wrap up with reflection
Invite students to share something new they learned or how their perspective changed. Use a quick-write or turn-and-talk for all voices to be heard before closing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Challenges in Calico Girl
What are some key challenges faced by Callie and her family in Calico Girl?
Callie and her family face several major challenges in Calico Girl, including Joseph being sold away, escaping enslavement, coping with the death of Little Charlie, and adapting to a new life after gaining freedom. These obstacles shape their journey and personal growth throughout the story.
How can I create a spider map to illustrate challenges in Calico Girl?
To create a spider map, start by identifying three main challenges from the book. Write each challenge as a heading, add an illustration for each, and provide a short description below each image. This helps visualize and summarize the struggles faced by Callie and her family.
What is the purpose of the Calico Girl spider map activity for students?
The spider map activity helps students analyze and organize the challenges characters face in Calico Girl. It encourages critical thinking, comprehension, and creative illustration, making the lesson more engaging and meaningful for grades 4–6.
Can students focus on one character or the whole family for the Calico Girl spider map?
Yes, students can choose to focus on a single character like Callie or look at the challenges faced by the entire family. This flexibility allows for personalized analysis and deeper understanding of the characters' experiences.
What are some tips for teachers assigning the Calico Girl challenges activity?
Teachers can support students by providing a list of possible challenges, encouraging creative illustrations, and allowing choice between focusing on a character or the family. Clear instructions and examples will help guide students through the spider map assignment effectively.
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