Activity Overview
The Leyson family was a typical family before World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. Leon, whose viewpoint the story is told from, was the youngest of 5 children, and his parents were loving and kind. For this activity, students will describe and illustrate each of the 7 members of the Leyson family. This helps students view the members of the family as real people and not just characters in a 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 7 cell spider map that identifies and describes the members of the Leyson family in The Boy on the Wooden Box.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify each family member and write his/her name in the headings.
- Create images for each family member that represent him/her.
- Write a short description of each of the family members.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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
The Leyson family was a typical family before World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. Leon, whose viewpoint the story is told from, was the youngest of 5 children, and his parents were loving and kind. For this activity, students will describe and illustrate each of the 7 members of the Leyson family. This helps students view the members of the family as real people and not just characters in a 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 7 cell spider map that identifies and describes the members of the Leyson family in The Boy on the Wooden Box.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify each family member and write his/her name in the headings.
- Create images for each family member that represent him/her.
- Write a short description of each of the family members.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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 The Leyson Family in The Boy on the Wooden Box
How to Facilitate a Thoughtful Discussion About the Leyson Family’s Experiences
Promote empathy and critical thinking by guiding students through meaningful conversations about the Leyson family's journey in The Boy on the Wooden Box. Thoughtful discussion helps students connect personally with history and understand the impact of events on real people.
Set clear discussion goals for your class
Begin by outlining what you want students to gain from the conversation, such as empathy, understanding historical context, or analyzing family dynamics. Setting goals keeps discussions focused and purposeful.
Prepare open-ended, family-focused questions
Craft questions that encourage students to think deeply about the Leyson family’s choices, feelings, and resilience. Open-ended prompts like, “How might Leon’s role as the youngest shape his experiences?” foster rich dialogue and multiple perspectives.
Encourage students to use evidence from the text
Ask students to support their thoughts with details from the book. This reinforces close reading skills and ensures discussions stay grounded in the story’s events and character traits.
Foster a respectful and inclusive classroom environment
Establish norms for active listening, respectful disagreement, and valuing each student’s input. A safe space helps students feel comfortable sharing personal reactions and making connections to their own lives.
Wrap up by reflecting on lessons learned
End the discussion with a brief reflection activity. Invite students to share insights about the Leyson family or how learning their story has impacted their understanding of history and humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Leyson Family in The Boy on the Wooden Box
What is the Leyson family character map activity for The Boy on the Wooden Box?
The Leyson family character map activity asks students to identify, describe, and illustrate each of the 7 members of Leon Leyson's family from The Boy on the Wooden Box. This helps students see the characters as real people and deepen their understanding of the story.
How do I complete a 7-cell spider map for The Leyson family?
To complete the 7-cell spider map, label each cell with a Leyson family member's name, add a representative image for each, and write a brief description of their personality or role in The Boy on the Wooden Box. Save your work when finished.
Why is it important for students to describe each Leyson family member?
Describing each Leyson family member helps students connect emotionally with the story, understand the impact of historical events, and see the family as real people rather than just characters.
What grade levels is the Leyson family character map suitable for?
This character map activity is designed for grades 6-12, making it suitable for middle and high school students studying The Boy on the Wooden Box.
What are some tips for illustrating the Leyson family members in the activity?
When illustrating family members, focus on details that reflect their personalities or experiences from the book. Symbols, facial expressions, or meaningful objects can help bring each character to life visually.
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