Grade Level: 3-4

Subjects Integrated: Language Arts, Technology

Learner Outcomes:
Students will complete character guides, charts and/or webs as a pre-writing activity.
Students will use Inspiration software to generate character webs.

Time Frame: 2 hours

Materials: Character Guide sheets ,  Character web  worksheets (if Inspiration  software is not available)

Technology Tools: Computer,  Inspiration  software, printer

Teacher Notes:  It might be helpful to have a parent helper or classroom volunteer.  Make sure that person is present when you give the instructions.

Procedures:

    1.  The teacher will introduce the assignment.  Ask students to think about the strong
         characters that Phyllis Reynolds Naylor created for her story of Shiloh.  Refer to the
         character charts or webs.  "Do you feel like you know these characters?"

        "How do authors get ideas for characters?"  Allow students to respond.  (From people
        they know, people they see, their imagination, etc.)  Explain that authors think carefully
        about what their characters will say and do so that when we read the book we will get
        to know the character.  Authors want their characters to seem real to us.

        "Now it's your turn to create a new character and introduce this character to the
        class."  List on board ways to begin to think about a new character:

• an interesting person you know
• someone you noticed when you went somewhere
• someone or something that has been in your imagination for awhile
• some costume or prop you have and you wonder who it could belong to
• a picture you saw in an album, magazine, or newspaper, etc.

• You will have to think about how this character will act.
• What will the  character do and say?
• How will your character talk?
• What will you name your character?
• Where will your character live?....etc.

    2.  Give students the opportunity to use Inspiration   software or the Character web
        worksheet and Character Guide sheets questions.  Direct the students on the use of
        these organizational helpers as a pre-writing or outlining activity.  Allow time for
        thinking and writing.

Modifications: Provide individual help when needed.

Enrichment Activities:

Evaluation/Assessment: Check for following directions and appropriate entries on character web and guide. A writing rubric may be used to record prewriting assessment.
 

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
 

• English Language Arts:  3.42, 3.43, 3.57, 4.48, 4.50, 4.51, 4.55
• Technology:  3.83, 3.85, 3.91, 4.93, 4.99,

References:
Character Guide sheets
 Inspiration software
 Writing rubric