Character Analysis- Finding the Mystery Character

1. Character Analysis- Finding the Mystery Character 7th & 8th Grade English Language Arts Created By: Usha Ramesh Technology In Schools UCSC EXTENSION

2. Standards CA State AddressedLITERARY RESPONSE AND ANALYSIS 3.2: Analyze the effect of the qualities of the character (e.g., courage or cowardice, ambition or laziness) on the plot and the resolution of the conflict.  3. Describe how a particular story or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. 3.3: Analyze characterization as delineated through a character’s thought, words, speech patterns, and actions; the narrator’s description’s and the thoughts, words, and actions of other characters. 2.4 Write responses to literature: a. Develop an interpretation exhibiting careful reading, understanding, and insight. b. Organize the interpretation around several clear ideas, premises, or images.  c. Develop and justify the interpretation through sustained use of examples and textual evidence. NETS STANDARDS * Demonstrate creativity and innovation * Communicate and collaborate * Conduct research and use information * Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions * Use technology effectively and productively

3. Character Analysis Seventh or eighth grade students will find a mystery character using clues {Car keys, ticket stubs, Newspaper clippings, etc} provided in a bag. These clues will help students find the mystery character. * Have you ever wondered about celebrities and how they became so famous? * What is a protagonist and antagonist? * How did they become so famous? * Do people like or dislike them? * Who is your role model? * What makes an ordinary person a hero? In this activity students will be studying about different personalities, (protagonists, antagonists) and learn more about different characters/ role models/ popular personalities. After this activity they will probably find answers to these questions that have intrigued them all along.

4. Tasks Task 1. Shakespearean Epitaph. Students watch a video and write an epitaph on behalf of a character of their choice. Task 2. Using the clues provided in the paper bag, (pieces of news clippings, personal items, car keys, price tags, pictures, names of tv shows, movies, last name clues, etc) students guess who the mystery personality is, and do a web search to gather important information. They will jot down notes. They will correctly predict who that mystery character is and write a character analysis essay in a word document format.

5. Task 3. How to write a character analysis essay Using these 10 steps students will write a character analysis essay about their mystery character, as a word document, using their notes.  Task 4. Using the word document that students created they will make a power point presentation about their mystery character.

6. Lesson Objectives • Students will demonstrate their skills in writing a good character analysis essay. • They will list, have a clear understanding about the psychological factors that make up a personality, describing with examples of real life characters. • Students will correctly identify the character, its role, whether changing or static, protagonist or antagonist, and conduct research. • Students will explain, and manifest their understanding about good role models, inspiring people, and true heroes in their discussions as well as writing. • By the end of the lesson, the student will demonstrate higher order thinking skills, problem solving behaviors, and creativity by better understanding personality traits, and show/express a true appreciation for people around them. • Students will look within themselves, to understand behaviors, and what will influence their future choices in similar circumstances.

7. Evaluation • The power point presentation and the word document will be assessed using a 4 point rubric handed out to students before the activity. The rubric for the PowerPoint can be found @ http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ Rubric ID: 2098106 • The rubric for the word document can be found @ http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ Rubric ID: 2101118

8. Resources • Trackstar: Track # 432661 • Questgarden- Name: Mystery Character. http://questgarden.com/author/create/preview.php?u=132620&l=132620-111004160736&a=&p=introduction&pt=student • Rubistar: http://rubistar.4teachers.org Rubi ID # 2098106& Rubi ID # 2101118 • Shakespearean Epitaph: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EYbJC_Ts8 • Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page • Yahoo!Kids: http://kids.yahoo.com/ • Kids’ Search Tool:http://www.rcls.org/ksearch.htm • Resource for writing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

9. Learning Styles Addressed • Linguistic Learner: Writing a character analysis, playing with words, and creating a story about the character’s life and writing the epitaph appeals to these learners. • Logical/Mathematical Learner: Solving the mystery and creating an analysis, figure out the mystery character by asking questions, exploring, and doing some experimenting, and research on the web is exciting to this learner. • Spatial Learner: As these students enjoy drawing, designing, and looking at slides, videos, and films, they will excel at creating a power point presentation as well as writing an epitaph and drawing a headstone. • Musical Learner: Creating and adding music to the presentation will thrill these students. • Interpersonal Learner: These students will enjoy gathering data, analyzing ideas, information, and research as well as thrive on working as a team in this lesson. • Naturalistic learner: These students are good at categorizing, planning, sharing, comparing and co-operating. This lesson is ideal for them to work as a group and create the presentation as a team.

10. THANK YOU! USHA RAMESH vishyesh@gmail.com