The Maze Runner Activity – Character Name Connections and Intellectual Allusions

This engaging nonfiction activity for The Maze Runner gives students a meaningful way to explore the real historical figures behind the names of the Gladers in The Maze Runner by James Dashner. This lesson begins with an introduction to the idea presented in Chapter 49 that the characters are named after famous thinkers. Students rotate through a series of short nonfiction biographies at stations around the classroom to connect each famous intellectual to a character from the novel. With presentation slides, nonfiction biography cards, and a notes and reflection organizer, this activity helps students work together to build background knowledge and deepen their understanding of characterization and author’s purpose.

This is included in a unit plan:
>>> The Maze Runner Unit Plan

Included in This Maze Runner Intellectuals Activity:

➡️ Gladers Names Activity Presentation Slides: This engaging slideshow introduces students to the idea that many of the Gladers in The Maze Runner are named after famous intellectuals and historical figures. The slides include discussion questions, information about the importance of names in literature, and short introductions to each of the intellectuals. The presentation also includes a full class review of the activity section with sample character connections and explanations.

➡️ Intellectuals Biographies: Students rotate through a series of detailed, student-friendly nonfiction biography stations focused on famous scientists, inventors, leaders, and humanitarians connected to the Gladers’ names. The people included are Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Galileo Galilei, Charles Darwin, Mother Teresa, Benjamin Franklin, and Winston Churchill. Each biography highlights the individual’s accomplishments, personality traits, beliefs, and contributions to history while encouraging students to think critically about how these characteristics may relate to specific Maze Runner characters.

➡️ Character Matching Organizer: As students move through the stations, they complete an organizer where they identify which intellectual connects to each Glader and explain the reasoning behind their choices using evidence from both the biographies and the novel. A complete sample answer key is included to support classroom discussion, review, or assessment.

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>>> A Year of English Bell Ringers

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