This lesson plan helps students analyze the major characters in *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee using a visual character map.
Subject: English Language Arts · Grade: 8–11 · Time: 45–60 minutes
Major characters
Atticus Finch
- Role: Protagonist, father, lawyer
- Traits: Moral, principled, empathetic, calm, courageous
- Motivation: Justice, protecting his children, defending Tom Robinson
- Development: Remains consistent — his steadiness is the moral anchor
- Key quote: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view."
Scout Finch
- Role: Narrator, protagonist
- Traits: Curious, tomboyish, honest, observant
- Motivation: Understanding the world around her
- Development: Loses innocence, gains empathy and moral understanding
- Key quote: "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."
Jem Finch
- Role: Scout's brother
- Traits: Brave, protective, idealistic, sensitive
- Motivation: Protecting Scout, understanding justice
- Development: Disillusioned by the trial, matures significantly
- Key quote: "I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time."
Boo Radley
- Role: Recluse, symbolic character
- Traits: Shy, kind, misunderstood, protective
- Motivation: Watching over the children
- Development: Transforms from monster myth to real human being
Tom Robinson
- Role: Accused man, symbolic character
- Traits: Honest, hardworking, kind, innocent
- Motivation: Helping Mayella Ewell
- Development: Represents the mockingbird — innocence destroyed
Activity: Character map storyboard
- Physical description and illustration
- 3 personality traits with text evidence
- One key moment that defines the character
- How the character changes from beginning to end
- Open Storyboard Creator
- Choose 3 characters from above
- For each character, create panels showing:
- Export PDF or share a live link