Activity Overview
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 and details about important characters. With character mapping, it’s easy for students to follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
Don Quixote Characters
| Alonso Quijano AKA Don Quixote | A wealthy, middle-aged man, obsessed with knighthood. He reads so many books on the heroism of knights, he deems himself to be one and sets out as a knight-errant. |
|---|---|
| Sancho Panza | A fat, somewhat greedy, and not very smart neighbor of Quijano. Sancho becomes “squire” to Quixote, and acts as his literary foil. |
| Rocinante & Dapple | Quixote’s horse and Sancho’s donkey. |
| Cide Hamete Benengeli | The fictional Moorish narrator whose accounts of Don Quixote the narrator references often. |
| Dulcinea | A farm girl who, unbeknownst to her, Quixote devotes his love and chivalric deeds to, believing her to be a noble lady. |
| The Priest and the Barber | Two of Don Quixote’s friends who disapprove of his delusions and capture him to return him home. |
| Ferdinand | A duke who steals Lucinda from Cardenio. He also takes Dorothea’s chastity. |
| Dorothea | The obsessed and faithful lover of Ferdinand. She cunningly hunts him down to get his hand in marriage. |
| Cardenio | Lucinda’s husband. A helpless romantic who is wronged by his wife and the duke. |
| Lucinda | Cardenio’s wife, who is beautiful and cheats on her husband with the duke. |
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 Don Quixote and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character 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 the text boxes for Appearance, Traits, and Character Importance.
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
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 and details about important characters. With character mapping, it’s easy for students to follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
Don Quixote Characters
| Alonso Quijano AKA Don Quixote | A wealthy, middle-aged man, obsessed with knighthood. He reads so many books on the heroism of knights, he deems himself to be one and sets out as a knight-errant. |
|---|---|
| Sancho Panza | A fat, somewhat greedy, and not very smart neighbor of Quijano. Sancho becomes “squire” to Quixote, and acts as his literary foil. |
| Rocinante & Dapple | Quixote’s horse and Sancho’s donkey. |
| Cide Hamete Benengeli | The fictional Moorish narrator whose accounts of Don Quixote the narrator references often. |
| Dulcinea | A farm girl who, unbeknownst to her, Quixote devotes his love and chivalric deeds to, believing her to be a noble lady. |
| The Priest and the Barber | Two of Don Quixote’s friends who disapprove of his delusions and capture him to return him home. |
| Ferdinand | A duke who steals Lucinda from Cardenio. He also takes Dorothea’s chastity. |
| Dorothea | The obsessed and faithful lover of Ferdinand. She cunningly hunts him down to get his hand in marriage. |
| Cardenio | Lucinda’s husband. A helpless romantic who is wronged by his wife and the duke. |
| Lucinda | Cardenio’s wife, who is beautiful and cheats on her husband with the duke. |
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 Don Quixote and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character 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 the text boxes for Appearance, Traits, and Character Importance.
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 Don Quixote Characters
Plan a Collaborative Character Map Activity
Organize students into small groups and assign each group a different character from Don Quixote. Encourage collaboration as they research, discuss, and fill out a character map together. This approach promotes teamwork and helps students learn from one another’s perspectives.
Assign Creative Roles Within Groups
Have each group member take on a specific responsibility, such as researcher, illustrator, scribe, or presenter. Dividing roles ensures everyone participates and strengthens engagement through ownership of the project.
Guide Groups to Use Evidence from the Text
Encourage students to back up their character map descriptions with direct quotes or specific scenes from the novel. This reinforces close reading skills and strengthens their understanding of character traits and importance.
Facilitate Group Presentations to the Class
Invite each group to present their character map to the class. Sharing discoveries builds confidence, allows for feedback, and exposes all students to multiple viewpoints and interpretations.
Reflect as a Class on Character Connections
Lead a reflective discussion about how the characters relate to one another and impact the story. Making connections deepens comprehension and helps students appreciate the complexities within Don Quixote.
Frequently Asked Questions about Don Quixote Characters
Who are the main characters in Don Quixote?
The main characters in Don Quixote include Alonso Quijano (Don Quixote), Sancho Panza, Rocinante, Dapple, Cide Hamete Benengeli, Dulcinea, the Priest, the Barber, Ferdinand, Dorothea, Cardenio, and Lucinda. Each plays a unique role in the narrative and Don Quixote's adventures.
What is a character map and how can students use it for Don Quixote?
A character map is a visual or written log that helps students track key details about characters, such as appearance, traits, and importance. For Don Quixote, students can use a character map to organize information and better understand relationships and character development.
How can teachers create quick character mapping activities for Don Quixote?
Teachers can create a character mapping activity by providing students with templates that include spaces for character names, traits, and roles. Students fill in these sections while reading, making it easier to remember details and analyze the story.
Why is character mapping helpful when teaching Don Quixote?
Character mapping helps students follow complex stories like Don Quixote by organizing character information. This boosts comprehension, supports analysis, and makes it easier to notice character relationships and themes.
What are some effective tips for teaching Don Quixote characters in high school?
Effective tips include using visual aids like character maps, assigning group work for character analysis, encouraging students to identify character traits and motivations, and connecting character actions to broader themes in Don Quixote.
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