LiC: Concept Mapping
Lesson: Compare and Contrast Characters (30 – 45 minutes)
Overview:
The LiC: Concept Mapping Tool is a flexible app for helping students process what
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 observations about the two characters.
Remind students about the importance of citing textual evidence to support
their analysis of the similarities and 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:
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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.