1. Reading Theme 1 Review SAT Coach pages 46-48

2. Students need… markers and paddles or paper and pencils

3. Characters To understand a story, you must understand its characters. Character traits are part of a character’s personality.

4. A character’s actions or behavior can reveal a lot of character traits. A character’s traits can also influence his or her behavior.

5. Understanding a character’s motivations- the reasons for his or her actions- it key to understanding why the character does what he or she does.

6. Let’s look at two examples of how traits, motivations, and behavior are connected…

7. Anna Trait She is shy. Motivation She wants to make friends. Behavior She quietly introduces herself to a classmate

8. Josephine Trait She is friendly. Motivation She wants Anna to feel more comfortable. Behavior She invites Anna over to her house.

9. Let’s read a short play and answer some questions.

10. A Bit Overboard Characters: Roxie: A girl from the city Alex: A boy from a town nearby A canoe race on a crystal clear mountain lake at summer camp.

11. ROXIE: Paddle faster! This scow is useless. Why did you have to pick the absolutely worst canoe in camp?

12. ALEX: Uh, I’m not sure it’s the canoe, really. You should know, those other guys are pretty good!

13. ROXIE: They may be good, but you’re just pitiful. I thought boys were supposed to be stronger that girls. Let’s go!

14. ALEX: I-I’m doing the best I can. If I pull too hard, we’ll just go in circles. We have to paddle with the same force t go straight, I think….Ummm, maybe we’ll paddle more evenly if I count aloud?

15. ROXIE: Counting won’t help! They’re beating us! I absolutely refuse to come in last. (She stands up.)

16. ALEX: Uh—Roxie, don’t— please, be careful. Remember what the counselors always tell us about boat safety…

17. ROXIE: I see two canoes behind us. Let’s move! (She starts to sit but slips and falls overboard.) HELP! Alex, help me!

18. ALEX: (trying not to giggle but failing) The-the water’s shallow. J-just stand up! (He holds out a paddle, which Roxie slaps away.)

19. ROXIE: That does it! (she wades awkwardly toward shore.) I’m calling my dad to come get me. This camp is the worst.

20. Discuss with a partner: How would you describe Roxie? How about Alex? What clues does the author give about their characters?

21. 1. What is Roxie’s motivation in this scene? A She wants t hurt Alex’s feelings. B She wants to win the race. C She needs Alex’s attention. D She needs to learn a new skill.

22. 2. What character trait does Roxie have that causes her to yell at Alex? A Enthusiasm B Sadness C Jealousy D. Bossiness

23. 3. Which word best describes Alex? A Mild-mannered B Stubborn C Stuck-up D Immature

24. 4. Which action tells you that Alex cares about what happens to Roxie? A He starts to count aloud. B He giggles when she falls in. C He paddles in circles. D he holds out a paddle