Primary learners read Holly Keller’s That’s Mine, Horace, analyze the text and characters, and sequence the story. After discussing the experiences Walter encounters once he tells a fib, class members use a character analysis worksheet...

How do the main characters of Willa Cather's My Ántonia develop and change throughout the course of the novel? Explore Jim Burden, Ántonia Shimerda, and Lena Lingard toward the end of the novel, comparing their goals and expectations in...

Lensey Namioka’s Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear provides an opportunity for young readers to observe how writers bring their characters to life. Each class member selects a character to trace through the novel, recording...

Young scholars demonstrate traits of responsibility. They explain that accepting responsibility is more rewarding than avoiding responsibility. Students bring pictures of responsible and irresponsible situations or behaviors. They...

Whether it is a protagonist, antagonist, hero or heroine, characters are a must in any story. Learners analyze a character from a narrative they are reading, then use that character as inspiration. They create a ceramic bust depicting...

Develop a mystery character using clues from a bag. This engaging activity will help learners understand character traits. They develop a list of the items from the bag, discuss and develop the character with a partner, and create a...

Combining descriptive and expository writing skills, middle schoolers create a character sketch about someone they know well. They use a graphic organizer to help them discuss a model character sketch and organize/write one of their own....

What ingredients make up a character? A cup of honesty, a dash of humor, a pinch of cynicism? Based on real cookbooks they review in class, learners at any grade level three and up write recipes to describe characters familiar to your...

Animals oftentimes elicit various characteristics which make them symbolic or representative of human feeling, action, or emotion. The class creates horse characters out of clay to show character action and symbolism. This is a great...

Every healthy classroom community is built on a foundation of respect. Through whole group discussions, shared readings, and collaborative activities this lesson teaches children how to be respectful of one another, making for a much...

R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to your class! After a grand conversation about what is, and how one can show respect, scholars take part in a plethora of activity choices such as role playing, a game of Simon Says, wood working,...

Most schools participate in a character education program. This presentation, which outlines the definitions for such terms as self-discipline, integrity, perseverance, etc ., could be used as a discussion starter. You could alter, or...

Just what did Ben Franklin read? By juxtaposing Ben Franklin’s reading material as a young man with an analysis of his developed ideas, learners gain the opportunity to see how the influences of his youthful reading played out. Roman,...

Some of what we know about a character is directly stated. Some of what we know is inferred by events in the story. Character maps help primary learners recognize the difference. After modeling with a story your class has read, pupils...

In this character worksheet, students answer questions on how they would react to different situations involving their character. Students answer 5 questions.

The Analects of Confucius have provided moral guidelines for generations of Chinese as well as others around the world. Introduce class members to some of the philosopher's ideas with a activity that asks them to select five of his...

Engage your class in character analysis of any Shakespeare character with this activity. Class members pretend that they are reporters and imagine responses that their chosen character would supply for 14 pre-determined questions. While...

Use the guiding questions on this page to fill out the two graphic organizers included in the materials tab. All of the materials focus on character or personality traits and ask pupils to find textual evidence of the traits they...

Sixth graders identify American heroes. In this historical perspectives lesson, 6th graders examine photographs and documents from the Library of Congress. Students categorize the sources as particular pillars of character education.

Students explore traits of honest communication. In this character development and communication lesson, students are given 6 simple statements and work as a group to alter the meaning of each statement through body language, facial...

Playing team sports is about more than just scoring the most goals or winning the most games. Read this passage with your class and learn how athletes build character as members of a team. When finished, individuals identify the main...

Readers of The Crucible use a SATDO chart to collect evidence they will use to craft interpretive statements and an analysis of one of Miller’s characters. Background information on the play and about Miller, links to handouts,...

Delve into narrative writing that puts choice in the hands of the writers. Kids pick their own characters, emotions, items, and places from a list and tie them together in the exposition. Several questions help guide the writers toward...

Sixth graders read Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, and watch a video of Maurice Sendak's book, Where the Wild Things Are. They examine the characters in both stories that share similar characteristics. Students use the...