Character Traits Part II: Practice!

Think, Say, Do! When discussing character traits, it helps us to think of what the characters think, say, and do in the story. In the next few slides you will be given a character trait and you will identify the thoughts, words, and actions that relate to that particular trait.

Example Determined Thinks Says Does Soccer Player Michelle thinks: I refuse to give up until I have accomplished my goal! Says She says to her coaches, “I know I can do it!” Does Michelle goes to practice every afternoon afterschool. On the weekends, she runs around her block to develop her endurance.

Someone who is jealous… Let’s Practice! Someone who is jealous… Thinks Does Says

Let’s Practice! Someone who is clever… Thinks Does Says

Someone who is mysterious… Let’s Practice! Someone who is mysterious… Thinks Does Says

Directions Pick a character trait card from the bag. On a post-it note write what an author might make a character think, say, and do to show your character trait. Think Do Say

Directions Now we are going to practice in a different way. Before, I gave you the character trait and you told me what that character might say, think, and do. This time, I am going to give you a few sentences describing a character and you must give me an appropriate character trait based on the character’s words, actions, and thoughts.

Practice 1 Jenna couldn’t believe her teacher could be so cruel. He obviously knew that she didn’t do her homework but he made her do the problem on the board anyway. Jenna got out of her seat and rolled her eyes at Mr. Klein. Jenna decided that it was definitely Mr. Klein’s fault that she didn’t do her homework. “He is so annoying” she said to her friends. “He is always bugging me about extra help and I am not going. I don’t care about school.” Name a character trait that fits Jenna’s personality in this passage. What does she “think, say, and do” that made you choose these traits?

Practice 2 Katherine’s mother was always working long hours at the restaurant which meant Katherine had to go with her. Katherine didn’t mind going because after she completed her homework, Mrs. Magetti, her mother’s boss, would give her little jobs to complete. One of Katherine’s favorite jobs was making sure each table had enough sugar packets. Mrs. Magetti would give Katherine one dollar each time she helped her do something for the restaurant. Katherine had saved each and every dollar. She kept them under her mattress and she counted them every night to make sure she knew exactly how much she had earned. Katherine was saving her money to buy her mother something special. She would keep working until she saved enough to get exactly what she wanted. Name a character trait that fits Katherine’s personality in this passage. What does she “think, say, and do” that made you choose these traits?

Practice 3 Julian knew he had to make a decision. Should he go to Puerto Rico for the summer or should he stay home with his family and friends? Julian thought about his options. He enjoyed spending time in the warm weather at home with his friends. But he also hadn’t seen his grandparents in Puerto Rico in over two years. Julian called his friend Ryan for advice. Then he asked his mom what she thought he should do. Finally, he decided to just put two pieces of paper in a hat. One said, “Puerto Rico” and the other said “New York”. He took a deep breath and reached into the hat. Name a character trait that fits Julian’s personality in this passage. What does he “think, say, and do” that made you choose these traits?

Independent Practice As you read independently today, please think about the thoughts, words, and actions of the characters in your book. On a post-it note, write a character trait for one of the characters in your book. Justify your choice by explaining why the character trait is appropriate.