Let's Get to Know Each Other!

Characterization is not always easy.  Often times, I find my student can come up with thought about the character, but struggle to present the information.  If you feel your students are having the same troubles, know you are not alone.

Encourage the Crazy!

While reading, Because of Mr. Terupt, I have found that my students sometimes get the character mixed up.   My solution, I split my students up into 7 groups, one for each narrator in the story.  For the first two months, September and October, we simply just read and logged events and other things in the novel on our F.A.S.T. characterization graphic organizer.  Usually after each month, I have the groups get together and discuss what they have logged on their graphic organizer.  Then, we get to work on the body graphs.  It usually stretches across 3 or so days, depending on the group and how specific they are when they work.

Encourage the Creativity

I have modified the project by doing, headshot body graphs.  When I have done this variation of the project, I have had each student work individually.  Here I have the students draw the character, as if it was a school picture.  Then, we add thoughts, feelings, actions, and things said about the character to the design.

Teaching Outside the Textbook

If you are interested in the paper work needed to complete this project, get your resource here!   In the resource you will find step-by-step instructions, graphic organizers and a grading rubric, specific to the body-graph.