Summary: In this lesson, students will learn about character development. An author may develop a character directly by describing physical traits or explicitly stating how a character feels. Great readers also pay attention to words, thoughts, and actions in order to better understand the character. Character analysis looks at both direct and indirect character development to a complete understanding. This project based lesson asks students to produce a flowchart quiz "Which [Book Title] Character Are You?" Student will need to choose at least two characters to compare and contrast, carefully considering various traits and posing meaningful questions to demonstrate an understanding of full character development. Essential Question: Are identities constant?
Objectives
Common Core Anchor Standards: R.3, R.7 Reading: 8.2, 9-10.3, 11-12.2 Speaking & Listening: 8.5, 9-10.5, 11-12.5 ISTE 2A, 2B, 6B, 6D
Students will be able to... distinguish between direct and indirect character development identify examples of direct character development identify examples of indirect character development
Learning Plan
Christie Madsen is a former elementary and middle school classroom teacher. She has spent the last five years supporting the meaningful implementation of education technologies in schools and districts nationally and internationally.
Character ANALYSIS
Lesson Overview
Standards
Grade Level: 8-12 Subject: ELA Time: Four 50-minute sessions
Preparation: Review the following resources and prepare project rubric to : All About Workflow Diagrams and Workflows Create a Document
1st Session: Hook students' attention by asking them to take the following Flowchart Quiz: Which Toy Story Character Are You? Ask students to turn and talk to a neighbor, sharing which character they identified and describing two specific things they have in common with that character. Lead discussion on Direct and Indirect Character Development. In the Toy Story quiz, are there examples of character description that were explicitly stated in the film? For example, how do we know that Buzz, Woody, and Sarge are natural leaders ? How do we know that Slinky can bend over backwards? Introduce key vocabulary: 1. direct character development - the author makes direct statements about a character's personality and describes what the character is like. 2. indirect character development - the author shares information about a character's personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to him, and what they think and say about him. Introduce project. Students will be creating their own Character Quiz for fictional characters of the [current text or of their choosing]. Students will decide what images, questions and important traits represent their characters. Group students in pairs and give them a few minutes to brainstorm which characters they may choose to include in their quiz. 2nd Session: Review project requirements. If needed, walk students through the All About Workflows guide and have them watch the Getting Started Video "Create a Document." Open Lucidchart template Blank Flowchart. Use remaining class period to start creating Character Quizzes, checking on students’ progress and assisting as needed. 3rd Session: Use entire class period to finish Character Quizzes. Check on students’ progress and assist as needed. Remind students that they should exercise creativity in the thoughtful questions they pose and end descriptions they provide. 4th Session: Give partners five minutes each to swap Character Quizzes. Ask class to take each other's quiz and similar to the hook, identify which character traits they have in common whomever they are most like. Wrap up with a student reflection. Ask them to determine which questions in their Character Quiz were examples of direct character development and which were examples of indirect character development. This reflection should cite supporting textual evidence.
Encourage students to complete in-depth character analyses for each of the characters in their flowchart using Lucidchart's Twitter or Instagram Wireframes. Ensure that students include two pictures, three status updates, and add five friends/followers. Students to complete a similar assignment that focuses on our dynamic identities in Lucidpress here.
Extensions
Suggested LucidCHART Templates for use in this lesson
Assessment
In this project-based lesson, students will be assessed on a character flowchart. Using a rubric, determine if students have creatively communicated the digital persona of their character. Profiles must include statuses, photos, likes and other social media clues that make up their character's identity. Exceptional work will go beyond simple images and include abstract clues that differentiate their character. Assessment should also include each group’s presentation of their profile and each student's reflection on social media identity.
Blank Flowchart
