Description

The stick figure quotes method provides a creative outlet for learners while engaging them in an intellectually rigorous learning activity of character analysis. Learners collect and use evidence from the content and sort passages or quotations from the content based on the level of importance. This process of character analysis also promotes better comprehension and empathy as learners identify how a character thinks and what is important to them. While this method is often used with literary characters, you could also have learners create stick figures for a historical figure, using the figure’s own words as the quotes.

Implementation

1. Learners Collect Quotes: Ask learners to identify brief passages or quotations in the content by or about a specific character. You can have learners select a style, or you may assign them one. Tell learners that the quotes they want can include descriptions, dialogue, observations from other characters, etc.
2. Learners Sort Quotes: Tell learners to sort the quotes or passages they have collected by considering these factors: Which do you think is an essential character’s identity or spokesperson of their core values? Describe how the character impacts the world around them.
3. Learners Create Stick Figures: Tell learners that they will use the quotes they’ve found to create a stick figure representation of their character.

Modifications

1. Evolving Stick Figures: You may want to make stick figures at different points in the content to illustrate how a character changes. Ask learners: Do this person’s core values change along the way, or do other aspects of their identity change?
2. Create a Record: Take a digital photo of each stick figure and record the learner explaining why quotes are placed where they are.