Activity Overview
Character maps are a helpful tool for students to use as they're reading, although they can also be used after completing a book. In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. 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 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Identify the characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters. Note: be sure to select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Fill in Textables for "Physical/Character Traits", "How does this character change throughout the novel?", 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
Character maps are a helpful tool for students to use as they're reading, although they can also be used after completing a book. In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. 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 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Identify the characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a Storyboard That character to represent each of the book characters. Note: be sure to select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Fill in Textables for "Physical/Character Traits", "How does this character change throughout the novel?", 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 Mapping Characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Plan a Class Discussion Around Character Growth
Engage your students in a lively conversation about how characters change in the story. Encourage them to use evidence from their character maps to support their ideas.
Prepare Open-Ended Questions for Deeper Thinking
Ask questions like, "Why do you think Edward changed?" or "How would you feel in this character’s situation?" to foster critical thinking and empathy.
Connect Character Changes to Students’ Lives
Guide students to relate character growth to their own experiences. Prompt them to share times they have faced challenges or changed their feelings about something, just like the characters.
Use Visual Aids to Support Understanding
Display character maps on the board or use digital tools so everyone can see and contribute. This helps visual learners and encourages participation from all students.
Wrap Up with a Reflective Writing Prompt
Ask students to write a short reflection about what they learned from a character’s journey. This reinforces comprehension and gives quieter students a voice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mapping Characters in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
What is a character map in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
A character map in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a visual organizer that helps students track each character’s physical traits, personality, challenges, and growth throughout the story, making it easier to understand their importance and development.
How can students create a character map for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
Students can create a character map by identifying the main and minor characters, selecting images or icons to represent them, and filling in details about their traits, changes over time, and the challenges they face using tools like Storyboard That or graphic organizers.
Why is mapping characters important when teaching The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
Mapping characters helps students analyze relationships, track character development, and deepen comprehension by making connections between character traits, actions, and the overall plot.
What are some key character traits to include in a character map for Edward Tulane?
Key traits to include for Edward Tulane are his physical appearance, emotions, behaviors, changes in attitude, and how he responds to various challenges throughout the novel.
What is the best way to help students analyze character change in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
The best way is to encourage students to use text evidence while completing the character map, noting how Edward and other characters evolve from the beginning to the end of the story based on their experiences.
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