Activity Overview
In this activity, students will depict the characters of the story using a character map. Have students pay close attention to the physical and character traits of both major and minor characters. Students will provide detailed information regarding how the characters interact with the main characters, as well as challenges the characters face.
Shiloh Characters
- Marty
- Dad
- Mom
- Dara Lynn
- Becky
- Shiloh
- Judd
- David
- Doc Murphy
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 Shiloh and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character represent each of the book 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 Physical/Character Traits, Changes over Time, 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
In this activity, students will depict the characters of the story using a character map. Have students pay close attention to the physical and character traits of both major and minor characters. Students will provide detailed information regarding how the characters interact with the main characters, as well as challenges the characters face.
Shiloh Characters
- Marty
- Dad
- Mom
- Dara Lynn
- Becky
- Shiloh
- Judd
- David
- Doc Murphy
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 Shiloh and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character represent each of the book 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 Physical/Character Traits, Changes over Time, 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 Analyzing Characters in Shiloh Activity
Incorporate evidence from the text into character analysis
Encourage students to support their character observations by citing specific events, dialogue, or descriptions from Shiloh. This helps students develop analytical skills and deepens their understanding of text-to-character connections.
Model finding key character evidence together
Read a short passage aloud and ask students to point out words or actions that reveal a character trait. Discuss as a class how this evidence supports their ideas, making the process visible for all learners.
Create an evidence tracker chart
Have students draw a two-column chart: one side for the character trait and the other for the text evidence. This visual aid keeps their work organized and encourages close reading.
Use sentence starters for citing evidence
Provide sentence frames like, ‘I know Marty is caring because in the text it says…’ to help students articulate their thinking and back up their ideas confidently.
Celebrate connections with a gallery walk
Let students display their character maps and evidence trackers around the room. Invite peers to walk around, read each other’s work, and leave positive feedback on sticky notes. This fosters a collaborative learning environment and reinforces the value of using evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Analyzing Characters in Shiloh Activity
How can I help students analyze characters in 'Shiloh' using a character map?
To help students analyze characters in Shiloh, have them create a character map focusing on physical and personality traits, changes over time, character challenges, and relationships. Encourage detailed observations and connections to the story's events.
What are the main character traits to focus on when teaching 'Shiloh'?
Key character traits to focus on in Shiloh include loyalty, courage, honesty, and compassion. Having students identify and discuss these traits helps deepen understanding of the characters' actions and growth.
What is an effective way to introduce a 'Shiloh' character map activity in grades 4-5?
An effective introduction is to model creating a character map for one character as a class, then assign students to complete maps for other main or minor characters individually, using clear text boxes for traits, challenges, and changes.
Which characters should students include in a 'Shiloh' character map?
Students should include Marty, Shiloh, Judd, Dad, Mom, Dara Lynn, Becky, David, and Doc Murphy. Focus on major characters, but minor ones can add depth.
What challenges do the main characters face in 'Shiloh'?
The main characters in Shiloh face challenges like moral dilemmas, family conflict, and standing up for what is right. Marty, in particular, struggles with keeping secrets and protecting Shiloh.
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