1. Today’s Objective
SWBAT: Identify character traits and motivation in a story.
Character Traits and Motivation
Slides:
Materials: Journals, sticky notes, Akeelah cd, Character Motivation: Definition and Examples online video, Character Motivation online tool, Rocky IV clip of press conference with Russian
HO: Character Motivation Quiz, Character Traits List, Examples of Motivation (or online tool) , Akeelah and the Bee scene B
Activator: Review the meaning of characterization
Show the “Inside of the Mind” bonus feature from Akeelah to show students how a director/writer coaches an actor to reveal character
Discuss as a class
Introduce and discuss motivation show video
Your character desperately wants to defeat his enemy.
Your character badly wants to win a contest.
Your character badly wants to be in control.
Your character's greatest desire is to be noticed by a significant other.
Your character wants to stop criminals.
Your character is trying to win a game.
Your character wants to eliminate corruption.
Your character's biggest wish is to be attractive.
Your character desperately wants to protect her home.
Administer the Character Motivation Quiz
Show the first part of Scene 10/”Javier’s Birthday Party” (…up to Akeelah going with Javier) then ask the guiding questions below
What did they learn about Georgia changing her mind to about going to the party? (insecure in a new , different setting)
How did the filmmakers help you to know this?
Ask them what is Georgia’s motivation for staying in the car? Why did she do what she did? (to feel comfortable)
Explain that the reason she acted that way is her motivation
Distribute character traits list, examples of motivation, and the Akeelah and the Bee scene B handouts
Prompt students to read the scene B and make a list of character traits and examples of motivation (have sticky notes available to help students annotate text as needed)

2. Characterization Review
You will now observe how the writer/director works with an actor to reveal character.
Bonus Feature:
“Inside the Mind of Akeelah”

3. Introduction to Motivation
Generate a list in your journals of things that might motivate a character.
(See next slide for the chart model to draw in your journal)
The Pursuit of Happyness
Soul Surfer
Forrest Gump
The Blind Side

4. Character
Summarize What Motivates the Character
Father
Bethany Hamilton-Female Surfer
Forrest Gump
Michael Oher-Football Player

5. Twilight Zone: “Five Characters in Search of an Exit” motivation viewing activity