Activity Overview
The trickiest part of The Westing Game is its long list of characters. Students may struggle with the many names and identities. Providing activities to reinforce character understanding will be helpful. 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 about important characters.
The Westing Game Heirs
- Turtle Wexler
- Jake Wexler
- Grace Wexler
- Angela Wexler
- Doug Hoo
- Sun Lin Hoo
- James Shin Hoo
- Sandy McSouthers
- Judge J. J. Ford
- Theo Theodorakis
- Chris Theodorakis
- Sydelle Pulaski
- Otis Amber
- Berthe Erica Crow
- Flora Baumbach
- Dr. Denton Deere
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 The Westing Game 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 Age and Physical Description, Personality, Clues Given by Westing, and Connection to Sam Westing.
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 all appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect strong understanding of the book's most important characters. | Most of the characters and scenes are appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect emerging understanding of the book's most important characters. | Many of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. The project reflects a lack of understanding of the major characters. |
| 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. | Much of the information of the notes is incomplete and/or incorrect and irrelevant. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
Activity Overview
The trickiest part of The Westing Game is its long list of characters. Students may struggle with the many names and identities. Providing activities to reinforce character understanding will be helpful. 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 about important characters.
The Westing Game Heirs
- Turtle Wexler
- Jake Wexler
- Grace Wexler
- Angela Wexler
- Doug Hoo
- Sun Lin Hoo
- James Shin Hoo
- Sandy McSouthers
- Judge J. J. Ford
- Theo Theodorakis
- Chris Theodorakis
- Sydelle Pulaski
- Otis Amber
- Berthe Erica Crow
- Flora Baumbach
- Dr. Denton Deere
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 The Westing Game 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 Age and Physical Description, Personality, Clues Given by Westing, and Connection to Sam Westing.
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 all appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect strong understanding of the book's most important characters. | Most of the characters and scenes are appropriate for the book's characters. They reflect emerging understanding of the book's most important characters. | Many of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. The project reflects a lack of understanding of the major characters. |
| 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. | Much of the information of the notes is incomplete and/or incorrect and irrelevant. |
| Effort and Editing | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar. |
How Tos about The Westing Game Characters: Who\'s Who?
Organize a Westing Game character guessing game
Engage students by having them guess characters based on clues you read aloud. This helps reinforce character traits and relationships in a fun, interactive way.
Prepare character clue cards
Write brief clues about each character on index cards, focusing on personality, physical description, and Westing's clues. Avoid using names to make guessing more challenging.
Divide students into small teams
Assign students to teams of 2–4 to encourage collaboration and discussion as they work together to identify characters.
Read clues and have teams guess the character
Read a clue card aloud and let each team discuss and write down their guess. Reveal the answer after all teams respond to keep the energy up.
Award points and celebrate learning
Keep score to add a competitive element. Celebrate correct answers and encourage students to explain their reasoning to deepen understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Westing Game Characters: Who\'s Who?
What is a character map in The Westing Game?
A character map in The Westing Game is a visual tool that helps students track and organize information about each major character, including their traits, relationships, and clues connected to Sam Westing’s will.
How can I help students remember The Westing Game characters?
Use engaging activities like storyboards or character maps so students can log details, traits, and connections for each character as they read. This approach supports memory and comprehension.
Who are the main heirs in The Westing Game?
The main heirs in The Westing Game include Turtle Wexler, Jake Wexler, Grace Wexler, Angela Wexler, Doug Hoo, Sun Lin Hoo, James Shin Hoo, Sandy McSouthers, Judge J.J. Ford, Theo Theodorakis, Chris Theodorakis, Sydelle Pulaski, Otis Amber, Berthe Erica Crow, Flora Baumbach, and Dr. Denton Deere.
What details should a student include in a character map for The Westing Game?
A student’s character map should include the character’s name, age, physical description, personality traits, clues provided by Westing, and how each is connected to Sam Westing.
What activities reinforce character understanding in The Westing Game for middle schoolers?
Effective activities include creating character maps, group discussions, and using storyboards to visualize relationships and clues, making it easier for students in grades 6–8 to keep track of The Westing Game’s complex cast.
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