Activity Overview
Refugee weaves together three stories in one book, so it has many characters, both main and supporting. A character map can be a helpful tool for students to keep track of the characters in the book, especially since Refugee switches swiftly from story to story every chapter.
In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in Refugee, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. Teachers may choose to have students focus on one set of characters for either Josef's, Isabel's or Mahmoud's story. Or, teachers may have students make a storyboard that contains all three sets of characters. This example demonstrates how that can be accomplished with a grid of three rows, one for each story. Students can also provide detailed information regarding the challenges the character faces, the challenges the character imposes, and the importance of the character to the plot of the story.
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 character map for the major characters in Refugee.
Student Instructions:
- Identify the major characters in Refugee and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to the story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in Textables for "Physical/Character Traits", "How does this character interact with the main character?", and "What challenges does this character face?"
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
Refugee weaves together three stories in one book, so it has many characters, both main and supporting. A character map can be a helpful tool for students to keep track of the characters in the book, especially since Refugee switches swiftly from story to story every chapter.
In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in Refugee, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. Teachers may choose to have students focus on one set of characters for either Josef's, Isabel's or Mahmoud's story. Or, teachers may have students make a storyboard that contains all three sets of characters. This example demonstrates how that can be accomplished with a grid of three rows, one for each story. Students can also provide detailed information regarding the challenges the character faces, the challenges the character imposes, and the importance of the character to the plot of the story.
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 character map for the major characters in Refugee.
Student Instructions:
- Identify the major characters in Refugee and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to the story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in Textables for "Physical/Character Traits", "How does this character interact with the main character?", and "What challenges does this character face?"
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 Refugee Character Map Activity
Use Character Maps to Encourage Deeper Discussion
Invite students to use their character maps as a springboard for rich classroom conversations. This helps students connect details to larger themes and strengthens comprehension.
Assign Roles for Group Collaboration
Divide students into small groups and assign each member a specific character or story strand to focus on. This ensures active participation and diverse perspectives during group sharing.
Guide Students to Cite Evidence
Encourage students to reference specific quotes or scenes from Refugee when filling out character traits and challenges. This develops critical reading skills and supports text-based analysis.
Facilitate Peer Review of Character Maps
Pair students up to review each other's character maps, offering feedback on completeness and accuracy. This fosters collaboration and helps students learn from each other.
Display and Reflect on Character Maps
Showcase completed character maps on a classroom wall or digital board. Invite reflection on how characters grow and change throughout the novel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Refugee Character Map Activity
What is a character map activity for the book Refugee?
A character map activity for Refugee helps students visually organize key information about major and minor characters in the novel, including their traits, physical descriptions, relationships, and the challenges they face.
How do you create a character map for Refugee by Alan Gratz?
To create a character map for Refugee, list major characters from Josef’s, Isabel’s, and Mahmoud’s stories. For each, include physical traits, character traits, interactions with others, and the challenges they encounter. Use a grid or storyboard format for clarity.
Why is a character map useful when teaching Refugee?
A character map is useful in teaching Refugee because it helps students track multiple storylines and characters, making it easier to understand the plot, character development, and connections between the three main narratives.
What should students include in a Refugee character map?
Students should include names of major characters, physical and personality traits, relationships with the main character, challenges faced, and each character’s importance to the story’s plot.
What is the best way to organize a character map for a novel with multiple storylines like Refugee?
The best way to organize a character map for Refugee is by using a grid with separate rows or columns for each storyline—Josef’s, Isabel’s, and Mahmoud’s—so students can clearly compare characters across narratives.
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