Getting to Know Your Characters
by Jennifer Gautreaux, jgautreaux@leoseton.org

Content Area(s)
English/Language Arts

Grade Level(s)
3, 

Overview
The students will choose a character from the novel, "The Mouse and the Motorcycle." This character, along with new descriptive words called adjectives, will be used to create a character web on the palm program Inspiration.

Software
. 27 palm handheld with Internet access (computer lab)
2. Teacher station connected to an Elmo
3. Black and white HP 4050 printer
Software:
1. Inspiration

Technology
1. Three different fruits (apple, lemon, and a banana )
2. Reading logs 1 per child
3. Dry Erase board
4. Dry Erase markers
5. Pencils one per child
6. Word wall note cards
7. Language Workbook (Language Arts Today p.112)
8. Popsicle sticks
9. Coffee mug
10. Copy of The Mouse and The Motorcycle ( 1 per child)

Objectives
1.The learner will identify character traits from a given story.
2. The learner will create a graphic organize, using Inspiration, based on character traits.
3. The learner will express interpretation from the story through writing.
4. The learner will demonstrate grammar usage through writing.

Procedures
Introduction
1. The teacher will pull three numbered Popsicle sticks from the coffee mug. These three students will go out into the hall as the teacher displays an apple, a banana, and a lemon.
2. The students remaining in the room will have the challenge of giving clues to help the students outside to guess what is in the bag.
3. The teacher will encourage the students to use words that describe to help the other students guess correctly.
4. Students must raise their hands and be called on by the teacher in order to give a clue.
5. As a clue is given the descriptive word will be written on the board.
6. Once the game is complete the teacher will inform the students that a word used to describe an object is called an adjective.
7. The students will be directed to the "word wall"
8. This wall will be filled with unique adjectives for the students to read and use in their writing.

Instruction
1.The student will be asked to look at the list of characters from the story, which can be found in his or her reading log.
2. The student will be asked to circle his or her favorite character.
3. Once a favorite character has been selected, the teacher will guide the student to brainstorm reasons for selecting this character. Some examples will be given. (makes you laugh, like the same foods, has the same goals)
4. The teacher will tell the student to write these reasons in their reading log.
5. The teacher will then have the student think about some describing words, or adjectives, that tell about this character. The student is allowed to use the word wall, which is filled in adjectives that describe.
6. Once the student has selected a favorite character, three describing adjectives, and why this character is his or her favorite, the handhelds will be distributed.
7. The students will need only his or her reading log, Language workbook, and a pencil.
8. The teacher will direct the student in opening Inspiration.
9. The teacher will give step by step instruction, while guiding the students through the use of a teacher station connected to an Elmo, to get the students to the character web.
10. The teacher will ask the student to label the title and author of the story, along with the character that has been chosen.
11. Here the student will use the three adjectives that describe his or her character and type one in each of the three circles.
12. The teacher will then ask the student to give an example, from the story, when this character showed each characteristic. Each example must be in a complete sentence.
13. Time permitting the student will be allowed to change background color, font, and shape for each textbox.
14. Before any one is allowed to change anything one the main screen, each sentence must be checked by the teacher or lab assistance.
15. The students will have saving and printing instructions written on the board to act as a reminder.
16. As the students complete the activity a workbook page will be assigned.

Closure
1. In closing the students will be allowed to share their character web. When out of time the students will be allowed to share on the following day.
2. The teacher will remind the students of what an adjective is and how helpful they are in making our sentences more interesting.

Other Supporting Material
Language%20Arts%20Rubric

Submitted on: 8/26/2006 10:52:43 AM