1. Characters

2. What is a character? A character is a person, animal, or other creature in a story. Characters have feelings, thoughts, and problems. To learn about the characters in a story, pay attention to their actions, thoughts, and words with other characters.

3. What is a trait? GROUP WORK: Look at the cards on your desk. These are all traits that describe Mrs. Spencer. See if you can divide these traits into two different categories.

4. What is a character trait? A character trait is something special about the character. It can be something special about the way the character looks or the way a character acts. Traits are words like “smart,” “pretty,” “old,” and “funny.”

5. Physical Traits These traits will describe how a character looks. Which traits are physical traits that describe Mrs. Spencer? --blond hair --brown eyes --short hair --5 feet 10 inches

6. Personality Traits These traits will describe how a character acts or their inner qualities. Which traits are personality traits that describe Mrs. Spencer? --helpful --fun --smart --strict

7. Character Traits When we discuss character traits, we are going to focus on personality traits! Sometimes the author will directly describe a character’s traits. Other times you must look at details, such as what the character says, does, or thinks to figure out what he or she is like as a person!

8. Character Traits Character: ________ Trait: ____________ What does the character say or think? What does the character do? Character: ________ Trait: ____________ What does the character say or think? What does the character do?

9. Look at each of the personality traits for Mrs. Spencer. What does she say or do to prove this trait could describe her? Character: ________ Trait: ____________ What does the character say or think? What does the character do? Character: ________ Trait: ____________ What does the character say or think? What does the character do?

10. Find the Character Traits Billy is a 4 th grader at Camargo Elementary. He enjoys playing football, basketball, and baseball. In fact, he scored more homeruns last season that anyone on his baseball team. Billy also has a lot of friends. Whenever someone new moves to his school, he is always the first one to say, “Hey do you want to play basketball with me at recess today?” What are some traits to describe Billy?

11. Find the Character Traits Billy is a 4 th grader at Camargo Elementary. He enjoys playing football, basketball, and baseball. In fact, he scored more homeruns last season that anyone on his baseball team. Billy also has a lot of friends. Whenever someone new moves to his school, he is always the first one to say, “Hey do you want to play basketball with me at recess today?” What are some traits to describe Billy?

12. Character Traits Character: Billy Trait: athletic What does the character say or think? What does the character do? -enjoys playing football, basketball, and baseball -scored more homeruns last season Character: Billy Trait: friendly What does the character say or think? --“Hey do you want to play basketball with me at recess today?” What does the character do? --has a lot of friends

13. LET’S PRACTICE MORE!!!! Read the short passages on the red cards and match them to the correct character trait. Discuss with your table, what does the character say, think, and/or do that helped you determine the character trait.

14. Independent Practice Make your own anchor chart in your journal! Cut and glue the passages and blank graphic organizer in your journal. Complete the graphic organizer independently for each character!