My Side of the Mountain: Character Traits Activity

Q: What are Sam Gribley's main character traits in My Side of the Mountain?

Sam Gribley is portrayed as resourceful, independent, and courageous . These traits help him survive alone in the mountains, adapt to challenges, and pursue his dream of living off the land.

Q: How can students create a spider map for Sam Gribley's character traits?

To create a spider map , students should write each character trait of Sam in a separate cell, provide a supporting example from the text, and add an illustration that represents the trait. This helps visualize Sam's personality and growth.

Q: Why is Sam Gribley's independence important to the story?

Independence is key to Sam's journey because it motivates him to leave the city and survive on his own. His self-reliance is essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving his goals in the wilderness.

Q: What is a character transformation activity for My Side of the Mountain?

A character transformation activity involves students mapping out how Sam Gribley changes throughout the story, focusing on his evolving traits and the experiences that shape his growth.

Q: Which grade levels is the Sam Gribley character trait spider map best suited for?

The Sam Gribley character trait spider map is best for students in grades 4-6 , providing an age-appropriate way to analyze literary characters and strengthen comprehension skills.

My Side of the Mountain Character Traits

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

My Side of the Mountain tells the story of Sam Gribley, who is unhappy in the city and decides to make a life for himself in the mountains on the family’s old land. It takes a certain kind of person to do something like this. For this activity, students will create a spider map that describes some of Sam's character traits. They can identify why these traits made him so successful in his quest and what drove him to follow his passion.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a 3 cell spider map of Sam’s character traits in My Side of the Mountain.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
In the title box, write the trait.
In the description box, write an example of this trait from the text.
Add an illustration that accurately represents the description.

Spider Diagram Template with 3 Empty Boxes

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-6

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Analysis Rubric

Analyze a character by explaining specific ways he or she demonstrates several important character traits throughout the story.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Trait Analysis	Written explanation of the scene clearly and accurately explains the connection between the character's actions and his or her personality and character development.	Written explanation of the scene attempts to explain the scene's connection to the character's personality and development. Some explanations may be unclear.	Written explanation of the scenes fails to correctly explain the connection between the actions depicted and the character's personality and development.
Storyboard Scenes	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the character trait, through depiction of a specific instance in the text.	Storyboard cells show some connection with the character trait, through depiction of the novel, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand or fail to capture a specific event in the text.	Storyboard cells do not demonstrate the appropriate character traits or fail to include any specific textual references.
Effort and Editing	Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct.	Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar.	Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a 3 cell spider map of Sam’s character traits in My Side of the Mountain.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
In the title box, write the trait.
In the description box, write an example of this trait from the text.
Add an illustration that accurately represents the description.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-6

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Analysis Rubric

Analyze a character by explaining specific ways he or she demonstrates several important character traits throughout the story.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Trait Analysis	Written explanation of the scene clearly and accurately explains the connection between the character's actions and his or her personality and character development.	Written explanation of the scene attempts to explain the scene's connection to the character's personality and development. Some explanations may be unclear.	Written explanation of the scenes fails to correctly explain the connection between the actions depicted and the character's personality and development.
Storyboard Scenes	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the character trait, through depiction of a specific instance in the text.	Storyboard cells show some connection with the character trait, through depiction of the novel, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand or fail to capture a specific event in the text.	Storyboard cells do not demonstrate the appropriate character traits or fail to include any specific textual references.
Effort and Editing	Work is complete, thorough, and neat. Spelling and grammar are correct.	Most of the sections of the storyboard were at least attempted and work is presentable. The text contains some errors in spelling and/or grammar.	Storyboard is unfinished and/or disorganized. The text contains many errors in spelling and/or grammar.

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How Tos about Sam Gribley\'s Character Traits

Organize a character discussion circle after the spider map activity

Gather students in a circle and invite each to share one trait from their spider map, explaining why they chose it. This encourages active listening and helps students build confidence in sharing ideas.

Prompt students to connect Sam’s traits to their personal experiences

Ask students to reflect on times when they showed similar traits as Sam. This personal connection deepens comprehension and makes character analysis more meaningful.

Create a classroom display of completed spider maps

Designate a bulletin board for students to post their finished spider maps. This showcases diverse perspectives and celebrates student work, fostering a sense of pride and community.

Facilitate a group brainstorm on other characters with similar traits

Lead a discussion or brainstorming session where students identify book or movie characters who share traits with Sam. This builds connections across texts and helps students recognize universal qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sam Gribley\'s Character Traits

What are Sam Gribley's main character traits in My Side of the Mountain?

Sam Gribley is portrayed as resourceful, independent, and courageous. These traits help him survive alone in the mountains, adapt to challenges, and pursue his dream of living off the land.

How can students create a spider map for Sam Gribley's character traits?

To create a spider map, students should write each character trait of Sam in a separate cell, provide a supporting example from the text, and add an illustration that represents the trait. This helps visualize Sam's personality and growth.

Why is Sam Gribley's independence important to the story?

Independence is key to Sam's journey because it motivates him to leave the city and survive on his own. His self-reliance is essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving his goals in the wilderness.

What is a character transformation activity for My Side of the Mountain?

A character transformation activity involves students mapping out how Sam Gribley changes throughout the story, focusing on his evolving traits and the experiences that shape his growth.

Which grade levels is the Sam Gribley character trait spider map best suited for?

The Sam Gribley character trait spider map is best for students in grades 4-6, providing an age-appropriate way to analyze literary characters and strengthen comprehension skills.