Building Vocabulary and Improving Comprehension by using Character Analysis
Materials: Weekly Story, Note Cards, Thesaurus, Chart Paper
Before reading our weekly story I have a student draw a picture of our main character on chart paper.
Teacher Says,
“As we read this story together, we are going on a scavenger hunt. We are looking for character traits or feelings. We are not only looking for feelings, but also proof of those feeling. Most authors do not come out and tell you how a character feels, but they give clues. So, let’s put on our detective gear and search for clues.”
After reading the story, students tell me a feeling. If they can prove it from the story, they write it on a note card and tape it to the character chart. When students give you words such as happy, sad, or mad, this is a perfect opportunity to build vocabulary. Use your thesaurus to find a new, more interesting word to describe your character.
A student may say, “This character is a hard worker and the proof is on page 31. It says when he needed skates he made them.” This is a perfect opportunity to introduce the word innovative. Tell them, “Yes James is a hard worker, but he is also innovative because he had a need for something and invented it.” After completing this activity students have a deeper understanding of the character, and a deeper vocabulary.
