Cubing Strategy
Source: Tompkins, pages 28-30
The Cubing Strategy is a really interesting, interactive way for students to think about how multidimensional the characters they have read about are. This strategy usually gets written down on pieces of paper and formed into a cube, but for the blogs we can just write them out as a list. There are six sides to the cube, and the class would be divided into these groups and assigned a character to write about. Each member of the group would draw a number that is assigned one of the following: describe (appearance, personality, etc.); compare (and contrast to a different character in the book); associate (character with a character from another book or someone you know); analyze (the motivations of the character); apply (what you’ve learned from this character); or argue (for or against character’s actions, give support).
This activity is great for students because they work collaboratively in groups, they are engaged in the content that they are learning, and they create a visual object to support their learning. It can be used either as an informal learning tool or a more formal writing tool that gives students the opportunity to use the writing process to draft, revise, and edit their writing. Students also use higher-level thinking and deepen their understanding of the character.
Think about these questions as you pick which character to describe: Why did you choose the character you did? What intrigued you about that character? Can you relate to that character?
Pick a character from The Invention of Hugo Cabret to analyze. Choose any 4 categories you want to write about, but at least think about how you would answer the other 2. Here is an example of just a few categories for Isabelle:
The six dimensions of Isabelle:
• Describe the character (including appearance, personality, likes/dislikes, habits, etc.)
Isabelle is 12 years old. She has straight, short, dark hair, with bangs. Her parents died in a car accident, and she was sent to live with her godparents, Jeanne and Georges Melies, in Paris, France. Isabelle is quiet mischievous, whether she’s picking locks or sneaking into movies she has been told to stay away from. But she is also very loyal to her family, and to her new friend Hugo.
• Compare and contrast the character to another character in the book
Compare/contrast to Hugo: Both Isabelle and Hugo are young and intelligent. They both have an immense curiosity that consumes their attention once captured. The difference is that Isabelle is much more reactive and therefore doesn’t think as thoughtfully about consequences as Hugo, who seems to have a plan for his conquest. Both, however, know how to survive difficult situations that often place them in compromising positions; Isabelle knows how to pick locks and go through back alleys, and Hugo knows his way around the train station better than anyone. Both children hold secrets in their past, but Isabelle is much more willing to discuss them than Hugo.
• Associate the character to someone else, either someone you know or another character from a different book you have read. Also, explain why the character makes you think of that other person.
Isabelle reminds me of myself when I was younger. I always wanted to figure out puzzles and solve problems I didn’t fully understand. I respected and love my parents, but I also tried to cheat the system by staying up late to watch Homicide: Life on the Streets even though they didn’t want me to (just as Isabelle sneaks into the movies). I was clever and most of the time thoughtful, but often I would jump into something without really knowing what I was doing or having a back-up plan. Just like Isabelle, I thought I knew what was best for everyone; and even if things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to, my heart was always in the right place.
• Analyze the character and what motivates him/her. Why does the character make the choices he/she does?
• Apply what you have learned from this character and tell how that information can be used. What can you learn from this character's actions, thoughts, or life?
• Argue for or against the character. Take a stand either for or against the character's actions or motivation and list reasons to support your stand.
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Papa Georges
ReplyDeleteDescribe the character (including appearance, personality, likes/dislikes, habits, etc.)
Papa Georges is an older man who is not very happy about his life and comes off to be a cranky man. He likes to play cards and I believe he secretly likes company.
analyze (the motivations of the character);
Papa Georges is motivated to get through life by the guilt he feels for Isabelle's parents death. He feels so guilty about it he gave up everything and his past cannot be brought up because he becomes very distraught.
apply (what you’ve learned from this character)
I have learned the importance of dealing with things and not letting them fester. If Papa Georges had delt with the death and no blamed himself he may have been able to make more movies and enjoy his life instead of sitting by at the toy store as time ticked by.
compare (and contrast to a different character in the book)
Papa Georges and Hugo are similar in their asperations. Hugo is still looking to get to where he wants to be in life, which is where Papa Georges was at one point in his life. They are both motivated, but Papa Georges has let that go because of a terrible mis-hap.
• Describe the character (including appearance, personality, likes/dislikes, habits, etc.)
ReplyDeletePapa Georges is an older man about late 60's early 70's. He is bald with a mustache and gotee. On the surface he seems very cranky and irritable yet he seems to have a sensitive side about him (he cries several times throughout the novel). He hates working in the toy shop and it is evident that he is hiding something.
• Analyze the character and what motivates him/her. Why does the character make the choices he/she does?
Papa Georges seems to be driven by a motivation to put his "ghosts" or his past behind him. This is what makes him unambitious and grumpy.
• Associate the character to someone else, either someone you know or another character from a different book you have read. Also, explain why the character makes you think of that other person.
When I finally realized what Papa Georges was hiding I associated myself with him. The reason I feel this way is because I am extremely passionate about movies. I don't know how to make them like Papa Georges does, but I agree that the movies can "invent dreams." I've always thought of the movies as a sort of escape from reality. I think Papa Georges would agree with me.
• Apply what you have learned from this character and tell how that information can be used. What can you learn from this character's actions, thoughts, or life?
Papa Georges teaches us to follow our dreams no matter what it may cost us. He also teaches us that it isn't always in our best interest to run from our past. Papa Georges thought that he had failed in the movie making business so he stopped doing what he loved only to become a prisoner in his own life. This was a mistake.
The CUBING strategy Laura has chosen works especially well with characterization as Anna and Michel have shown with their discussion of Papa Georges. Laura, you explained the use of the CUBE clearly and got us started with good questions and a well done example in Isabelle. Anna, you got us started nicely by introducing Papa Georges and noting that his off-putting personality probably covers some guilt he hasn't adequately dealt with. Michle you expanded on that nicely by pointing out that Papa Georges is hiding something, including a caring and sensitive nature.
ReplyDeleteWASN'T the thing about the movies a spectacular surprise? I, like you, Michele, also love movies, even fantasize about trying my hand at script writing after I retire...anything about movies delights me.
I enjoyed your thoguhtful comments about what can be learned from Papa Georges.
1. Describe: Hugo Cabret is a young orphaned boy, who lives and works in the train station. His father was a clockmaker and after his death Hugo was taken in by his uncle who was in charge of keeping track of the clocks in the train station. His uncle disappeared one night, and ever since Hugo has taken care of the clocks himself and gotten through by stealing food and toys. He's trying to fix the automaton that his father had found, and he steals toys from Papa Georges in order to restore it. He's very observant and crafty and knows how to get what he wants.
ReplyDelete2. Analyze: Hugo is motivated by restoring the automaton to see what exactly it will write as he assumes it is a message from his deceased father. He clings to this idea of a message from beyond the grave, and that is why he continues to work at the train station so he can steal toys from Papa Georges.
3. Compare: Hugo has both similarities and differences from Isabelle. Isabelle is more bold than Hugo and acts without thinking, whereas Hugo has to think about his actions because his life depends on it on a daily basis. They both are very eager though, and they seem to work well together. Hugo is shy, whereas Isabelle does not seem shy at all. Hugo is only shy in the sense that he is cautious, because he needs to be.
4. Apply: Hugo has taught me that for some people fighting for survival is a daily battle. He's strong despite all the hardships he's been through, and he never really throws himself a "pity party." He's got his mind set on a task and that is what sustains him. Sometimes it's the little things in life that help us get by, and even though fixing the automaton was just one goal, it led him to finding a new family.
Hugo Cabaret
ReplyDelete• Describe the character (including appearance, personality, likes/dislikes, habits, etc.)
Hugo is a boy about 12 years old and an orphan. He has ear length hair that is unkempt and most likely oily. He is short and skinny but very strong. His clothes are old and worn out. He lives within the walls of a 1930's Paris train station. Hugo is a gifted watchmaker and repairer who obsessively rebuilds an automaton, an intricate and delicate machine that had been discovered on a scrap heap by his late father. Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, is put in danger. He is stubborn and never gives up even in intimidating situations.
• Associate the character to someone else, either someone you know or another character from a different book you have read. Also, explain why the character makes you think of that other person.
Hugo reminds me of the street-boys in Kenya. Most of them are orphans and never get to know what tomorrow holds for them let alone the future. They are surrounded with daily problems of fending for themselves, police harassment, mob justice and diseases. Like Hugo they have to steal in order to eat and when they are caught some escape and others are killed. Unlike Hugo who loses the adults in his life to fire or reckless drinking, these street boys watch others being shot by the police or being run over y careless drivers. They sleep along alleys in city center and just like Hugo some of them live in the bathrooms in the train or bus stations.
• Analyze the character and what motivates him/her. Why does the character make the choices he/she does?
Even though Hugo is a thief and a liar, he does have the trait of perseverance. He diligently works to repair a found automaton and this is what motivates him. Wanting to know the hidden message which he believes was his father’s message to him. Using his knowledge of clockworks, he is able to make the necessary parts to make the repair. Several friendships are formed in the book and with each it is a step towards finding the hidden mystery. Though they start out shaky, they all grow into good relationships. One friendship that stands out in my mind is that of Etienne. He was able to see past Hugo’s circumstances and appearance and was eager to help him when others were not.
• Apply what you have learned from this character and tell how that information can be used. What can you learn from this character's actions, thoughts, or life?
Personally I have learned a lot from Hugo, besides him sharing a name with my son, I have learned that in life there are many obstacles and only when looked at positive they will be deemed as life’s misfortunes. Hugo does not sit and rood over his father’s death or not being able to go to school any more. Instead he takes what life offers him and makes the best out of it. He quickly learns the watch making trade and lives by it. When his uncle disappears he takes up the responsibility of fixing the clocks. He rarely runs away from a difficult situation except when the station inspector wants to arrest him. He pursues the store owner over his book even when there is clear indication that the book could have been burned. He accepts to work for him something he could have not done, but just in order to get his book back and continue with his quest of the mystery.