TED-Ed
Why Should You Read Tolstoy's "War and Peace"?
The famous length of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace — 15 books and 365 chapters — presents a real challenge for many readers and their teachers. So why bother? Use a short video that argues for a reading of an unabridged...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters: Gatsby Chases the American Dream
In this video [3:24] from the American Masters film Novel Reflections on the American Dream, learn about F. Scott Fitzgerald and his notorious fictional character Jay Gatsby. Both were in the pursuit of the American dream and love....
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters: Meet F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby
Meet F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic character Jay Gatsby in this video from the American Masters film Novel Reflections on the American Dream. Learn about the spectacle of Gatsby, the techniques the author uses to present Gatsby, and the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters: The American Dream in the Grapes of Wrath
In this video [3:06] from the American Masters film Novel Reflections on the American Dream, see the quest for the American dream as depicted in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." Follow the Joad family as they search for work and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Character Study: Scout Finch
This video [4:18] from American Masters: Harper Lee: Hey, Boo highlights Scout, one of the most beloved characters in all of American fiction and the main character of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In the video, students learn what...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Sanditon: An Opinionated Woman
When Charlotte Heywood offers her forthright opinions of the Parker brothers, she is chastised by the dashing Sidney Parker, in this video excerpt from Sanditon Masterpiece, based on Jane Austen's unfinished novel. The brief encounter...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Identifying Character Types
This video lesson focuses on character types including the following: flat, damsel in distress, fugitive, rebel, womanizer, country bumpkin/city slicker, social climber, traitor, siren, man sinned against, and guilt-ridden forgiveness...
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Analyze a Character's Actions
In this lesson, you will analyze a character's actions by recording what a character does and how he does it. Login gives access to an additional video. [3:31]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Infer and Cite Evidence of Character Traits
In this lesson, you will infer and cite evidence of character traits that the author shows, rather than tells, by making generalizations about the main character. [4:14]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Determine an Author's Message by Analyzing Character Development
In this video, you will learn how to determine an author's message by analyzing character development. [5:56]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Add Details About Characters in Narrative Writing
In this lesson, you will learn how to make your story more realistic and exciting by adding details about the characters. [5:38]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Video: Explain How Character's Actions Contribute to the Sequence
In this lesson, you will learn to describe how the characters' traits and motivations contribute to the sequence of events by asking, 'What character trait or motivation made this event happen?' [7:58]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Lesson Video for 'Determine a Character's Motivation'
In this lesson, you will learn how to determine character motivation by asking "Did my character do this because he or she feels a certain way?" [4:24]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Describe a Character's Personality Using Details From the Text
In this lesson, you will learn how to describe a character's personality by using details from the text. Login gives access to a slideshow and a student handout. [7:09]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Develop Ideas About Characters by Tracking Actions and Feelings
In this lesson, you will learn how to grow your ideas about characters by tracking characters' actions and feelings and asking "What does this tell me about the character?" [2:31]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Describe a Character Using Evidence From the Character
In this lesson, you will learn to describe a character in a story by drawing on characters' words. [6:50]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Describe How One Character Feels About Another
In this lesson, you will learn to describe how one character feels about another character by noticing the character's words and actions. Login gives access to a slideshow and a student handout. [7:19]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Add Specific Details to Show a Character's Reactions
In this lesson, students use details to let the reader know how a character is reacting to an event and practice adding physical actions to writing to help the reader understand the characters. A printable student handout is available...
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Determine a Character's Traits by Examining Evidence From the Text
In this lesson, you will learn how to determine a character's traits by examining his/her actions across a text. Login gives access to a slideshow and a student handout. [9:00]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Determine an Author's Message by Analyzing Character Development
In this video, you will learn how to determine an author's message by analyzing character development. RL.11-12.3 Auth choice story elem [5:56]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Recognize Common Character Traits (Archetypes)
In this lesson, you will learn how to recognize common character traits by making comparisons to similar character types in other readings. Login gives access to two additional videos. [4:14]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Use Setting to Reveal Character
Writers establish context to introduce a character and engage the reader. Let's practice building context by adding details to help the reader understand the character. [8:11]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Bring Characters to Life Using Details
In this lesson, you will learn how to bring characters to life in a story by using details such as thoughts, feelings, actions, and dialogue. [8:01]
Imagine Learning Classroom
Learn Zillion: Add Dialogue That Shows a Character's Thoughts and Feelings
In this lesson, you will learn how to add dialogue and clue words to show what characters are saying, thinking, and feeling by asking yourself, 'How is the character feeling?' and adding the words and punctuation to show the character's...