Students will develop a deeper understanding of the characters and the interconnection between the characters.
Overview
Character Webs are similar to Identity Charts. Both are graphic organizers that help students to gain a deeper understanding of the characters. The purpose of a Character Web, however, is to show the connections between characters. Character Webs can also be done autobiographically, that is; a student can create a web about him/herself.
This activity is meant to be done on an ongoing basis throughout the reading of the novel. Use this activity when discussing a new character or when new connections between characters develop.
Materials Needed/Preparation
Large pieces of butcher paper to post the work where students can see and interact with it
Brief introduction to the Character Web process
Copies of Character Web Sample (optional).
The Grapes of Wrath notebooks
Estimated Time
3-5 minutes
Procedures
Journal/writing topic:
~How are you connected to the people around you? The place you live (think both locally and globally)? How do these connections affect you? How do you affect the people and places around you?
Explain how a character web works (see example below).
Example character web for Of Mice and Men.
Choose two characters and, with class participation, model how to complete the character web. If doing this activity on an on-going basis, or as a large group, single period activity, consider modeling on a large sheet of butcher paper (this can remain up throughout the unit).
~Discuss as a class and have students volunteer what they feel are the connections between the characters.
~It is important that students provide proof from the reading to support their ideas.
For a one-day activity:
~Have students work individually or in small groups to complete the character web.
~Or continue to complete the character web as a class. Use student participation and input.
~Each student should create a completed copy of the character web, even if done as a group activity.
~If done individually or in small groups, allow time at the end of the class period for each group to share with the class.
~Again, it is important that students provide proof from the reading to support their ideas.
For an ongoing activity:
~Post the character web on the wall.
~During discussions of the reading, add to the character web when important discoveries have been made. Consider allowing students to come up and do this.
~Again, it is important that students provide proof from the reading to support their ideas.
~Each student should create a completed copy of the character web, adding to it as the unit continues.
Post Activity/Takeaways/Follow-up
Post Activities
Ask students to predict what may happen in the novel based on what they have discovered about the characters. (Consider keeping a record of these predictions to follow-up on later.)
Takeaways
Family is an important theme in The Grapes of Wrath. What other relationships are being made that are treated like family? Why is this important?
How are the relationships between characters similar to relationships the students have experienced (parent-child, friend, mentor, etc.)?
Students should come away from this exercise with more understanding of the characters and how they interact.
Follow-up
When appropriate, go back to student predictions to see if those predictions came true. Discuss why or why not.
Assessment
Are appropriate examples from the text being used?
Is the student developing accurate conclusions from the evidence in the text?
Quiz on the characters (based on the student findings in the Character Web).
~The quiz could be to create a Character Web for a set of characters.
~The quiz could be strictly factual (e.g. “Who does Curley pick a fight with?” and so on).
Points for maintaining a copy of the chart or character web.
