Whole Week Overview
Overview:
This week students will learn about characterization, how author’s use direct and indirect characterization in their writing, how to use different methods of characterization to analyze characters, and create their own characters using what they have learned.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3/4.3/5.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
Resources:
- Teacher Guide
- Daily Powerpoints with Teacher Notes
- Printable Passages, Notes, Activities, Warm Ups, and Exit Tickets
- Short Standards-Focused Assessment
Day 1 - Introduction
Launch
Students will practice analyzing a character through just a picture.
Core Instruction
Using the guided notes and handouts, teacher will define direct and indirect characterization. Teacher will present the acronym of STEAL and define the five components of indirect characterization.
Guided Practice
Students will write short paragraphs about themselves using direct characterization. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 2 - Whole Class Practice
Launch
Students will practice describing a character through direct characterization.
Core Instruction
Using the guided notes and handouts, teacher will review direct and indirect characterization and the STEAL acronym.
Guided Practice
Students will analyze the effect of each component of indirect characterization through multiple passages. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 3 - Characterization Statements
Launch
Students will practice describing a character through indirect characterization.
Guided Practice
Students will annotate the provided passage as a class. Students will then craft and share a characterization statement.
Independent Practice
Students will independently read a new passage, annotate, and craft a scaffolded characterization statement. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 4 - Characterization Writing
Launch
Students will practice describing a character through indirect characterization.
Group Review
Teacher will review the key components of direct and indirect characterization.
Independent Practice
Students will independently write a short story about a character having a bad day. They will utilize all aspects of the STEAL acronym within their story. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 5 - Assessment
The Assessment
Hand out the assessment for students and then go over the directions:
- Read the passage carefully and circle or highlight details that show S.T.E.A.L.
- Next, complete the characterization map for the two characters.
- Finally, write a characterization statement about each character.
Students will be asked to apply what they’ve learned to a fiction text.
