Kindergartners typically come to kindergarten with little knowledge of story elements. The teacher will need to spend time explaining what a character is and helping students identify the characters in stories. Character maps help draw attention to important characters in the story and encourage closer examination of the characters. In kindergarten, teachers commonly choose to focus on describing the character in terms of physical characteristics and personality. You can also focus on what the character does and how they feel. Keep character maps simple by limiting how much information is required. Also remember that visual images are important for kindergartners who are just beginning to read.
When beginning to use character maps in kindergarten, the teacher must first model or show the class how they work. Begin by choosing a story with a strong main character students with whom young children identify. Using large chart paper, draw out the character map, including the character’s name and space for descriptions of the character. Explain that the purpose of using a character map is to help readers understand important characters better. Show students how to describe the character and what the character does using pictures and words and correctly complete the map. You will need to model completing the character map multiple times to help them understand how they work.
Once character maps have been introduced in a group setting, have students take a more active role filling out their own character maps while you complete one on chart paper along with the class. Again, choose books with strong main characters. You can also vary the questions students answer about the character. If you have been focusing on physical traits, you could start focusing on what the character did in the story. Have students bring clipboards and pencils to the carpet in front of the teacher so they can sit close, listen to the story and fill out their character map as you fill out yours. Support students in sounding out words they don’t know and include pictures to capture their imagination.
After modeling and completing character maps together, students are ready to do it on their own. Set students up for success by beginning with a familiar book. After reading, discuss the target character together and go over the character map. Then send them back to their seats to get to work! Expect some students to need more support than others and be available to answer questions and keep students on track. When everyone is done, students can come back together to share their work.