Becoming a Character From Your Novel
Amber Strack
Materials: Copy of your favorite young adolescent novel,
costume, props, or other items that help you become your character, directions
for activity, evaluation rubric.
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
NCTE
Standards
v Students read a wide range
of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the
many dimensions of human experience.
NCSCS
Standards
v Competency Goal 5, The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive
and evaluative processes.
v 5.01 Increase fluency,
comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive reading
program by: reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual
interest.
Purpose of Mini-Lesson:
The
purpose of this mini-lesson is to introduce the procedure for completing an
alternative assessment. In this type of
assessment, the student becomes a character from a book and gives a summary of
the novel from the point of view of that character.
Activity:
The
teacher will dress up as a favorite character and give a presentation
summarizing a favorite young adolescent novel.
The teacher will want to choose a character or novel that is either
popular in the class or one that she wants the class to explore. Next the
teacher will hand out the directions for the assessment and explain the main
points. The teacher will leave time to
answer questions about the process. For
the purpose of this lesson I am choosing to be Harry Potter and will summarize Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Script:
(The
teacher greets the class dressed in costume)
Hello class, as you can see Mrs. Strack couldn’t be here today. I have come to tell you about my book, Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
(The teacher proceeds to summarize the story using first person point of
view. The teacher must be sure to
present important book elements including, characters, plot, conflict, setting,
etc.) (Depending on the length of the book this should take between 10-15
minutes) Thank you students for allowing
me to introduce this book please excuse me and I will find your teacher. (Teacher removes costume) Students, I have prepared this presentation
today to introduce our fall semester final project. For this project you will choose one of the
books that you have read so far. You may
want to choose your favorite book or one that has an interesting main
character. (Hand out directions) For
your presentation you will dress up as a main character from your book. You will summarize the novel, talking as if
you were that character. This is called
using first person point of view. You
will receive points for your costume and props, how well you use first person
point of view, and how thoroughly you represent the elements of the book. Class, who can name the elements of a
novel? (Allow time for answers
including, characters, plot, conflict, setting, etc.) All of these elements must be included in
your presentation. Students, who can
name the characters in the book I presented today? (Go on to have your students identify all of
the elements from your presentation.)
Now class, are there any questions about this project? (Allow time for questions, total time for
explanation and questions 10-15 minutes)
Follow Up:
Guide
students to develop other creative ways to summarize stories.
Explore
book reports and book reviews.
Related Lessons:
How to design a brochure or book jacket to advertise your book to your
classmates.
Respectful behavior during presentations.
Directions
for Fall Project: Becoming a Character from Your Novel
This
project requires you to think like and become a main character from your chosen
novel. You should dress in costume for
this portrayal or assume a foreign accent (if this fits the character). Be as creative with this as possible. The audience should believe you to be this
character on the day of your presentation.
You will give the class a telling of your novel from that particular
character’s point of view. Use the
pronoun “I” to give us information about yourself (as the character), other
characters, the setting, plot, conflict, etc.
Make us want to read your book!
Rubric for Becoming a Character from your Novel.
Use
of 1st Person Point of View __________(20)
Presentation
of Character __________(40)
Costume
Creativity
Book
Elements __________(40)
Characters
Plot
Setting
Conflict
Total = __________(100)