Lesson Plan
Unmasking Characters
Students will be able to identify and analyze character traits in literary texts, understanding how traits are revealed through a character's actions, words, thoughts, and interactions.
Understanding character traits is fundamental to comprehending literature. It allows students to make deeper connections with stories, analyze authorial choices, and interpret themes more effectively, a crucial skill for advanced literary study.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, interactive discussion, and a short analytical activity.
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Unmasking Characters Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
* Ensure projector/interactive whiteboard is ready for the Unmasking Characters Slide Deck.
* Print copies of the Character Trait Tracker Worksheet (one per student).
* Prepare for the Cool Down: Trait Takeaway.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Who Am I?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students to think of a favorite character from a book, movie, or TV show.
* Have them write down 3 words to describe that character on a piece of scratch paper.
* Facilitate a brief share-out, asking a few students to share their character and one descriptive word. (Teacher's note: This can be a quick informal check for prior knowledge).
Step 2
Introduction to Character Traits
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1: Unmasking Characters.
* Introduce the lesson objective using Slide 2: Our Mission: Unmasking Characters.
* Transition to defining character traits using Slide 3: What's a Trait, Anyway? and lead a brief discussion on the difference between physical appearance and personality traits.
Step 3
How We Spot 'Em: STEAL
10 minutes
- Introduce the STEAL acronym using Slide 4: The STEAL Method.
* Go through each element of STEAL (Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, Looks) using Slide 5 through Slide 9, providing clear explanations and examples for each.
* Engage students with questions and examples from familiar stories to illustrate each point. For example, for
Step 4
Guided Practice: Trait Tracker
7 minutes
- Distribute the Character Trait Tracker Worksheet.
* Using a short, shared text (e.g., a paragraph from a familiar story displayed on Slide 10: Practice Time!), model how to fill out the worksheet by identifying clues and inferring a character trait.
* Have students work individually or in pairs to identify traits for another character from the provided text, focusing on using the STEAL method.
Step 5
Cool Down: Trait Takeaway
3 minutes
- Distribute the Cool Down: Trait Takeaway.
* Ask students to summarize one key way authors reveal character traits.
* Collect the cool-downs as an exit ticket to assess understanding.
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Slide Deck
Unmasking Characters
Discovering the Secrets of Personality
Ever wonder what makes a character tick? Today, we're going to become character detectives!
Welcome students and introduce the captivating topic of character traits. Encourage them to think about their favorite characters.
Our Mission: Unmasking Characters
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify different types of character traits.
- Analyze how authors reveal character traits.
- Use the STEAL method to uncover character traits.
Clearly state the learning objective for the lesson. Students should understand what they will be able to do by the end of the session.
What's a Trait, Anyway?
It's More Than Just Looks!
Character Traits: The qualities or characteristics that describe a character's personality, behavior, and moral fiber.
- NOT what they look like (that's physical appearance).
- IS what they are like on the inside, how they act, and how they interact with others.
Begin with a clear definition of character traits, distinguishing them from physical characteristics. Ask students for examples.
The STEAL Method
Your Detective Toolkit!
Authors give us clues about characters in many ways. We can use the STEAL method to remember them:
- Speech
- Thoughts
- Effect on Others
- Actions
- Looks
Introduce the STEAL acronym as a mnemonic device to help students remember the different ways authors reveal character.
S is for Speech
What do they say and how do they say it?
- Dialogue: The words a character speaks.
- Tone: The feeling or attitude conveyed by their words.
Clues to look for:
- What words do they choose?
- Do they speak formally or informally?
- Are they kind, sarcastic, hesitant, confident?
Explain how a character's dialogue reveals their personality. Provide a quick example.
T is for Thoughts
What do they think and feel?
- Inner Monologue: What a character thinks internally.
- Beliefs & Motivations: Their private feelings, fears, hopes, and dreams.
Clues to look for:
- What are their secret hopes or worries?
- Do they doubt themselves or others?
- What drives their decisions?
Explain how internal thoughts give insight into a character's inner world and motivations.
E is for Effect on Others
How do others react to them?
- Interactions: How a character behaves around other characters.
- Reputation: How other characters perceive or describe them.
Clues to look for:
- Do people avoid them or seek them out?
- Are they respected, feared, loved, or disliked?
- What do other characters say about them?
Discuss how a character impacts others, and how that impact reveals their own traits.
A is for Actions
What do they do?
- Behavior: A character's choices and behaviors.
- Reactions: How they respond to events and challenges.
Clues to look for:
- Are they brave or cowardly?
- Do they help others or are they selfish?
- Are they impulsive or thoughtful?
Explain that actions speak louder than words. A character's behavior is a strong indicator of their traits.
L is for Looks
What do they look like?
- Appearance (Symbolic): How a character dresses, their posture, facial expressions, and overall demeanor.
Clues to look for:
- Is their appearance neat or messy? Why might that be?
- Do they have a stern expression or a warm smile?
- What does their outward presentation suggest about their inner self?
While physical appearance isn't a trait itself, authors often use it symbolically to hint at personality.
Practice Time!
Let's Put STEAL to the Test!
Read the short passage on your Character Trait Tracker Worksheet.
- Work with a partner or individually.
- Identify clues from the text using the STEAL method.
- Infer a character trait based on those clues.
Transition to the guided practice. Display a short text for students to analyze using the STEAL method.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Who Am I?
Think about your favorite character from a book, movie, or TV show.
- What is the character's name?
- Write down three words that describe this character's personality or behavior. (Hint: Don't describe what they look like!)
- Be ready to share your character and one descriptive word with the class!
Worksheet
Character Trait Tracker
Directions: Read the short passage below. Then, use the STEAL method to identify clues about the character and infer one of their traits.
Passage:
Elara clutched her worn map, her brow furrowed in concentration. The biting wind whipped strands of hair across her face, but she didn't flinch. She murmured to herself, "The rumors spoke of danger, but glory awaits those who are bold." Her eyes scanned the treacherous path ahead, noting the loose rocks and the sheer drop. A glimmer of determination, not fear, shone in their depths. As her companion, Liam, hesitated, Elara simply gave him a reassuring nod and took the first step forward.
## STEAL Method for Elara:
Speech (What does the character say and how do they say it?)
Clues:
Inference (Trait):
Thoughts (What is revealed through the character's private thoughts?)
Clues:
Inference (Trait):
Effect on Others (How do other characters react to them?)
Clues:
Inference (Trait):
Actions (What does the character do? How do they behave?)
Clues:
Inference (Trait):
Looks (What does the character look like? What does their appearance suggest?)
Clues:
Inference (Trait):
Overall Character Trait for Elara:
Based on your analysis using STEAL, what is one prominent character trait of Elara, and what are the strongest clues that support it?
Cool Down
Cool Down: Trait Takeaway
Directions: In your own words, summarize one key way authors reveal character traits in their stories. Use an example if it helps you explain!