Become a Character Using Adjectives By Gina Petti RED 565 Teaching Language Arts in the Secondary School Nova Southeastern University June 26, 2008

Lesson Plan Objectives Student will: * Understand the characteristics of adjectives. * Detail a character from a book using adjectives. * Define and comprehend character traits. * Use internet resources to find descriptive words. * Develop a graphic organizer and web to portray a character from a book. * Understand the importance of the literary elements of characters in a story. * Use Reader’s Theatre to act out character traits.

Sunshine State Standards LA – generating ideas from multiple sources based upon teacher- directed topics and personal interests. LA – generating ideas from multiple sources based upon teacher- directed topics and personal interests. LA using organizational strategies and tools to develop a personal organizational style. LA using organizational strategies and tools to develop a personal organizational style. LA – sharing with others, or submitting for publication. LA – sharing with others, or submitting for publication. LA – use appropriate available technologies to enhance communication and achieve a purpose. LA – listen to, read, and discuss familiar and conceptually challenging text. LA – determine meanings or words, pronunciation, parts of speech,…and alternate word choices by using a dictionary, thesaurus, and digital tools.

Do you know what an adjective is? Many times adjectives or descriptor words become the character’s traits in a story. Adjective – these are words that describe and modify a person or thing. Ex: The tall brown beautiful tiger is running fast. Find the words that are describing the noun or character in a story.

Watch out!!! Sometimes these adjectives express degrees of modification: positive, comparative, superlative. Comparative and superlative show degrees. Comparative for 2 or more, and Superlative for 3 or more. Let’s look back at the example sentence. The tall brown beautiful tiger is running fast! PositiveComparativeSuperlative talltallertallest brownbrownerbrownest beautifulmore beautifulmost beautiful

Now, it’s your turn, you silly, talented, funny, energetic, loyal, lucky, warm, trustworthy, student!!! Brainstorm some adjectives about yourself. Can those be character traits, as well? One thing to add….certain adjectives have irregular forms in comparative and superlative. Here’s a list. goodbetterbest badworseworst littlelessleast much manymoremost some farfurtherfurthest

“Adjectives are sometimes frail….don’t ask them to do more work than they should!” “Adjectives are sometimes frail….don’t ask them to do more work than they should!” Now, let’s pick a character out of your book. Can you find some adjectives or descriptor words about the character?

Here are some great examples of traits and adjectives that can describe your character….. Adventurousdemandinghumorousrestlessrich Roughpooralertambitiousmean Messymiserablemysteriousimpolitedull Bossybrainyaveragearrogantcalm Boredconfidenthopefulstubbornsweet Impatientindependentkindjealoussafe Sadguiltyproperproudgreedy Cautiousbusycowardlycrosscruel Glamorouspreciserationalwickedyoung Shylonelysneakyskillfulevil Bluesharpshortefficientfaithful Dishonestfoulcurioustallstrange Beautifulfreshhealthyinnocentlazy Don’t forget to use your class computer, thesaurus, and dictionary as a references! Don’t forget to use your class computer, thesaurus, and dictionary as a references!

Let’s organize our character adjectives in this manner: Romeo RomanticBraveCourageous

Lights, Cameras, Action! Can you act out your character’s traits???? Reader’s Theatre – let’s read a short exert from your book and “act out” the descriptor words and adjectives. Can you run silly, fast, and be brave all at once?

Don’t forget how important literary elements such as characters really are! Could Romeo be without Juliet??? Then how would the story end? Characters and their traits are one of the most important elements in a story……the end!