Unit Plan: Responding to Literature — Character Analysis

Title: Responding to Literature — Character Analysis

Grade Level: 6–8

Duration: one to two weeks

Overview: Students will use graphic organizers and charts to analyze characters. In turn, students will exhibit their ability to analyze a specific character by creating a "Character T-Shirt." Different locations on the shirt will be for different character traits. For example one sleeve is for character weaknesses and the other for character strengths.

Assessment: Students will create a "Character T-shirt" that exemplifies their ability to analyze a character. Later, they will be asked to compare and contrast two characters within a piece of literature. Students will then produce a well-written response to literature that contains an understanding of character, plot structure, and theme; and speaks to a clear audience. Use State Writing Standards to assess students' writing proficiency. Use the Project Rubric (PDF) provided to assess the Character T-shirt assignment.

My Best Lesson for this Unit:
Understanding Character

Printables for this Lesson:
Understanding Character (PDF), a complete list of literary elements and definitions.

Character Analysis Chart (PDF), a graphic organizer that helps students analyze a character.

Character T-shirt Instructions (PDF)

My Favorite Books for Teaching About Character