In seventh grade, we read the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. One of the focuses of this novel is characterization. It is full of interesting characters!
Throughout the reading of the novel, students complete a character grid on one of the characters in the story, listing the physical appearance, quotes-what he/she says, actions-what he/she does, and quotes-what others say about him/her (including page numbers giving evidence of the information found).
For a final study on characterization, students create a poster that introduces the character. Using the information collected, students' posters include the following:
* the character's name at the top of the poster;
* a picture of a current actor/actress that the student would cast in the 2007 Outsiders movie;
* a complete physical description of the character;
* three of the character's direct quotes and what these quotes reveal (p. #);
* three of the character's actions and what they reveal (p. #);
* three examples of what others have said about the character and what this reveals (p. #); and
* spelling, and overall neatness and effort.
Some teachers at my school also have a day where students dress up as those characters, and students really seem to enjoy that activity. We watch the Outsiders movie as well.
While there are also many other elements/devices present in this story, such as the themes of friendship, heroism, and "staying gold," this is a lesson students can carry into their reading of other novels and also into their own writing.
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1 comment:
I love your characterization project particulary the part of who the student would cast as their character in a "remake". It would be interesting to know why they would choose that certain actor or actress....physical appearance, previous experience? Thanks for the ideas!
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