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Literature: Characterization

Thank you for this TLE, Beth Spaulding –  Frankford Middle School Plano ISD, Plano TX

1. PROVIDE FOR INCLUSION:
A You Question, Energizer, or Linking Strategy
Energizer: “Pen Pals”
Students will draw the name of a character from the story we are reading out of a cup,
this will be their new identity for the activity. Using a 3×5 index card, students will write
one fact or character trait on the card, but not the character’s name. Students will then
exchange cards, making sure that no one gets their own card, and will have a moment to
review the information on the card. Students will then take turns trying to guess which
character is represented on the card.
2. IDENTIFY THE OBJECTIVES: Content Objective:
Using their understanding of direct and indirect characterization, students will identify
moments in the text that reveal characterization
Collaborative Objective:
Participating fully Sharing
Listening Attentively Listening
Respecting
Reflecting on Experience No Put-Downs
Valuing Diversity of Culture/ideas Empathizing
Thinking Constructively
3. IDENTIFY THE STRATEGY(IES):
“What’s in a Name”
Provide students with markers, large construction/poster paper. Student will meet with
their tribes and they will select one of the characters from the novel/story. Students will
work collaboratively to create an acrostic poem using the character’s name. Within the
poem, instead of including just facts about the character, students will try to site
examples of characterization within the text. They may use physical descriptions but are
encouraged to use indirect characterization as well.
4. ASK REFLECTION QUESTIONS BASED ON THE OBJECTIVES:
Content: What did you learn about the differences between direct and indirect
characterization? Is one easier to identify than the other? Does one give you more
detailed information than the other?
Collaborative: How did your tribe divide the work for this task? Do you feel like your
plan worked well? What could you have done differently?
Personal: What strength did you bring to your group work? Did you learn anything from
your tribe members that you would like to try next time we do collaborative work?
5. PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR APPRECIATION:
“(name) helped the group when they….”
“I liked it when…”

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