LiC: Concept Mapping

Lesson: Compare and Contrast Characters (30 – 45 minutes)

Overview:

The LiC: Concept Mapping Tool is a flexibleapp for helping students processwhat they read. This lesson explores how students can use the app to compare and contrast characters. In this case, students compare characters from two different stories in passages from the LiC: Reading Comprehension Tool. The lesson can easily be adapted for other learning needs.

Objectives:

In this lesson, students will:

  • Use a concept map to compare and contrast characters from two stories
  • Cite evidence from the texts to support their conclusions

Materials/Technology:

  • LiC: Concept Mapping tool
  • LiC: Reading Comprehension Tool

Instructional Plan:

  1. Tell students that they will be reading excerpts from two novels, Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. Instruct them to pay close attention to two characters, Buck and Watson, as they read. Students will most likely need brief introductions to these texts and these characters.
  2. Ask students to read the two texts in the LiC: Reading Comprehension Tool. If students are unfamiliar with the app, model how to place important words in the boxes on the right and how to find definitions of unknown words.
  3. Guide a discussion with students, delineating the difference between superficial and more insightful observationsabout the two characters. Remind students about the importance of citing textual evidence to support their analysis of the similaritiesand differences.
  4. Show students how to use the LiC: Concept Mapping Tool to compare and contrast the characters. You can provide a template or have students create their own. Depending on their familiarity with the tool, you may need to model some of the basic features.
  5. Release students to complete the concept maps in partnerships. Working with peers will allow students to discuss ideas and make more meaningful concept maps.
  6. Plan time at the end of the lesson to share some concept maps and discuss the benefits of the exercise.

Examples:

Blank / Completed

Assessment Strategies:

  • Build peer-assessment into group work time
  • Ask students to share one chart with you at the conclusion of the lesson

Standards:

This lesson is designed to address the following Common Core State Standards:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.3
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.5

Next Steps:

Extend the learning by asking students to compare and contrast characters they encounter in other literature, whether read in class or independently. A further extension is to ask students to write about what would happen if two characters from separate books were ever to meet in person.