Diary of a Wimpy Kid

What are characters in a story? Essential Question What are characters in a story? How do traits of a character help me to know information about the character?

Characters We normally think of a character as being a person in the story we are reading. Characters do things. They feel things. They hear things. They say things. They think things. They go places.

Characters They can walk, run, leap, and jump. They may sit and rock in a rocking chair. They may just lie in bed. And these actions show us what kind of people these characters are: friendly, sad, nosey, happy, confused, angry, or inventive.

Character Traits When we talk about a character, we often describe that character in terms of character traits, descriptive adjectives like happy or sad that tell us the specific qualities of the character. They're the same kinds of words that we might use to describe ourselves or others, but we're using them to describe fictional characters in something we’ve read.

The author may tell us these traits directly, but more often the author will show us these traits in action. Our job as readers is to draw a conclusion about the character's traits (to infer them) from what the character says, thinks, and does. We might infer a character trait from something a character does only once, or we might draw our conclusions from a series of things the character says and does.

Character traits help us learn about people and characters in a story. Let’s brainstorm some other characters you have read and how characters are different. Let’s discuss our classmates and teacher to see if we can give a character trait for each student. Be nice with the comments!!!

Character Trait They Reveal Character Actions of Character

Character Traits humble studious demanding brave intelligent bossy courageous honest gentle serious mischievous loving funny friendly proud humorous adventurous wild Sad hard-working messy resourceful timid neat

More Character Traits Stubborn shy joyful Loyal bold cooperative Gullible daring lovable imaginative disagreeable ambitious Caring busy rude Carefree lazy curious Selfish patriotic witty Unselfish fun-loving determined

Group Work Group 1 Accordion Characters You will demonstrate knowledge of a character and traits of the character by making an accordion character that will compare/contrast the character with yourself, display traits of character, give adjectives that describe the character, and a description of why you like/dislike the character.

Group 2 Real-Life Character Cubes You will analyze the character traits of a character in Diary of a Wimpy Kid and make connections between the characters in the novel with your life/character.

Group 3 Character Interviews You will explore the thoughts and feelings of a fictional character in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. You will pick four interview questions you would like to ask the character you selected. You will write the questions and create a response to the question from the character’s point of view.

Group 4 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly You will examine similarities and differences between two characters in the novel. You will draw two characters and write traits using adjectives, actions, and dialogue of both characters.

Directions All Groups You will each have an instruction sheet that you need to follow to create your work. I have provided you with paper/outlines/directions. Ask for help if needed!

What are characters in a story? Essential Question What are characters in a story? How do traits of a character help me to know information about the character?

Ticket out the Door Write your best friend’s first name on an index card. On the back, list 3 traits for your best friend. Put in tray as you leave for lunch!!