Character

Throughout the school year, we talk about character. Our students hear the word regularly: "character traits postcards", "Kid of Character", "characters in the book" ... Today we started our year-long journey is developing our understanding about character.

We created "Character Traits T-shirts". Students each selected a different trait from a classroom poster. Every student added a copy of this poster into our Communication folder to reference throughout the year.

Students defined their chosen character trait, illustrated it, and wrote two synonyms (words that mean the same) for their trait.

Character Traits. The unique attributes or features that describe people and characters. 

Fourth grade wants to now, Can you find one that fits?

One of our common core standards is to "comprehend using a variety of strategies". One strategy that helps students understand what they read is by looking at what the character says, does, and thinks. By determining the various character traits of a character and how a character changes during a story (or even movie), it helps us understand the story better.

When students learn to read, the author tells the students what they need to know: "Curious George", "Sarah, Plain and Tall", "Five Naughty Little Monkeys", and more. As students progress into more complex text, the authors "tell" about the characters' traits by using dialogue, describing their actions, and sharing their thoughts. Readers need to develop their making judgements (also called making an inference skills) to be successful at understanding what they read. When students make a judgement, they take a clue from the book, plus what they know, and form a conclusion. For example, "George gets into a lot of mischief when he tries to figure out what is going on, I know when I try to figure out what is going on when the adults in my house are talking, my parent says, I am being curious. George is curious." (This is a more complex example, because we already know that "Curious George" is curious, but it takes a familiar character and illustrates the making a judgement thinking process).

In primary grades (K-2 and 3), students learn to read. In intermediate grades (4-6), students begin reading to learn. To help them be successful, we look at individual reading strategies, "pull apart" or "break down" the skills, using modeling, graphic organizers, repetitive practice, large group instruction, small group instruction, one-on-one, and more to help students achieve success. Our curriculum calls these strategies, "focus skills".

Our first focus skill this year is Character Traits and Motivations. We will focus on it for two weeks. We will reference and use it throughout the year. Students achieve success when they apply this skill independently as they are reading, enjoying a movie, or describing a character from school that helps you understand their excitement, disappointment, worry, or impressions.

MUCH MORE character learning to come!