INFLUENCES – Friends QUEST 6: Sidekicks Teacher notes Curriculum links: Literacy Zone relevance: Choices Description: In this activity students will discuss the qualities of a good sidekick, by highlighting two famous sidekicks from the Star Wars films: Chewbacca and R2-D2. Students will then create their own sidekick, as well as stories involving this new character. Background: A sidekick can be defined as a close friend or follower who accompanies another on adventures. In the original trilogy of Star Wars, we are introduced to Han Solo and Chewbacca. The inspiration for Han Solo’s sidekick came from George Lucas’s own dog, which used to ride co-pilot with him in the car. Chewbacca and Han Solo are smugglers, mechanics, pilots, and friends. They help the Rebel Alliance at different points in the story, getting into a lot of sticky situations and adventures. Chewbacca is definitely known for his great height, his strength and his fierce loyalty. It wasn’t clear to start, in the early design of Chewbacca’s character, what he would look like but one thing always remained: Han Solo wasn’t Han Solo, without Chewbacca. R2-D2 is found in all the Star Wars movies and is a faithful sidekick to more than one character. Young Anakin Skywalker first meets R2-D2 when he flies a ship off Naboo, to help shut off the power source for the Droid army below. R2-D2 then stays with Anakin as he grows and becomes a Jedi; R2-D2 helps Anakin in many situations during the Clone Wars. R2-D2 is also a sidekick for Luke Skywalker when his family purchases him and C-3PO on Tatooine. R2-D2 flies with Luke as he blows up the Death Star and accompanies him to Dagobah where Luke is trained by Jedi Master Yoda. R2-D2 and C-3PO are also sidekicks and close companions that have been through many adventures together. R2-D2 is known for his devotion, his spirit and his problem solving skills. Activity 1: Using the Student worksheet, ask students to write a description of a sidekick they would like to have with them. They should include information such as what their sidekick would look like, act like or do with (or for) them. Activity 2: Once they have created their sidekick character, they can move on to writing a story featuring their character. © 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 11 Student worksheet 1 Activity 1: Create your own sidekick character and draw a picture of it below. Think about the type of sidekick you would like to have with you. What will your character look like? How will it act? What would you like your sidekick to do for you? What is the name of your sidekick? Activity 2: In your workbook, write a story featuring your sidekick character. © 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 12.