Understanding character traits helps students comprehend literature and enhances their writing skills. When students can identify character traits and comprehend how these traits influence a story, they become better readers and writers.
Defining Characters
Before studying character traits, students should understand character development. Characters in stories are more than just their physical descriptions—they have personalities shaped by their experiences, which are revealed through their actions and interactions. Strong characters typically have positive and negative traits, making them relatable and realistic.
Lesson Handout
This handout includes printables and instructions for all activities listed in this post.
Teaching Ideas for Character Traits
Activity #1 – Character Silhouettes with a Twist
This no-prep activity helps students visually map out character traits.
Idea #1 – Silhouette with Rays
Students draw a silhouette figure in the center of their page. From the silhouette, they draw rays and write facts about the character in each shape formed by the rays. Students write facts about the character in each shape formed by the rays.
Alternative Idea:
Instead of the traditional silhouette with rays, students can create a collage. Have students draw a silhouette of the character in the center of a page. Around the silhouette, students can paste or draw objects, symbols, or images that represent different traits and significant moments from the story.
Idea #2 – Silhouette Figure
Students choose a character from the book or story they are reading. They draw the character as a silhouette covering the entire piece of paper. On the body of the character, students describe the character. On the arms and legs, they list four actions.
Idea #3 – Inner and Outer Traits
Students copy a boy or girl silhouette in the center of the page. They then write a paragraph describing the character’s physical features on the left side of the figure. Physical descriptions include coloring (hair, eyes, etc.), size (tall, short, thin, muscular, etc.), and distinguishing features (mustache, curly hair, etc.). On the opposite side of the character, students describe inner character traits. Inner traits could be in the form of a paragraph or a list of adjectives such as absent-minded, disrespectful, humorous, immature, etc.
Idea #4 – Comparing Two Characters
Students create two overlapping character shapes to form a Venn diagram. They then compare and contrast the two characters by describing their differences and similarities.
Idea #5 – Silhouette House
Students draw a simple house structure with six windows. In each window, they answer Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? to explain how a specific character handled one situation in the story.
Activity #2 – Character Trait Diaries
Students create a “Character Diary” for the protagonist or another main character. In this diary, they write daily entries from the character’s perspective, thinking like the character to capture their thoughts.
Activity #3 – Interactive Character Trait Notebooks
Idea #1 – Character Trait Trading Cards
Instead of traditional cards, students create trading cards for characters, similar to sports cards. On one side, they draw the character; on the other, they list character traits and notable quotes. Students can then trade cards with their classmates, discussing and comparing the traits.
Idea #2 – Character Trait Cubes
Students use the printable cube provided. Each side of the cube represents a different aspect of the character: physical traits, personality traits, key actions, relationships, and how the character changes throughout the story. This hands-on activity enables students to create a 3D representation of character analysis.
Idea #3 – Character Trait Timelines
Create a timeline in the students’ notebooks where they plot the character’s development through the story. At key points in the story, students write about how the character’s traits are displayed and how they change.
Activity #4 – Teaching Character Traits with Printable Organizers
The handout includes several printable organizers to help your students think more about the characters in the stories they are reading. Each organizer is designed to guide students in describing character traits and the character’s overall development throughout the story. These versatile organizers can be used with any novel or short story.
Organizer Descriptions:
Character Development Chart
Using this chart, students analyze how characters change from the beginning to the end of the story. This organizer helps students see how the characters evolve and which events trigger these changes.
Trait-Action-Impact Organizer
Students identify a character trait, describe an action that demonstrates this trait, and explain the impact of this action on the story’s plot or other characters. This organizer uses cause-and-effect relationships between character traits and story outcomes.
These organizers can be used with any novel or short story, making them valuable tools for deepening students’ understanding of the characters in the story.
Activity #5 – Character Trait Anchor Charts
Interactive Anchor Chart Activity
Instead of simply listing traits on an anchor chart, turn this activity into a class discussion. Draw a large character outline and, as a class, add traits as students read the story. Then, use sticky notes to add examples from the story that support each trait. This interactive approach turns your anchor chart into a living document that evolves as students read.
Focusing on these interactive activities can help your students better understand character traits, making your literature lessons more effective. Don’t forget to download the free handouts accompanying this post, including all the printable activities mentioned above!
See the product that inspired this post.
See my comprehensive Story Elements Unit focusing on characters and settings, available in both digital and printable formats. Each of the five lessons is designed to engage students through video tutorials, organizers, and practice activities.
6 comments
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Great article. Your anchor chart with the protagonist and antagonist is really clever. I plan to use this idea in my class next week. I’m sure the students will love it.
This has been an incredibly wonderful post. I was looking for ideas to use with The Tale of Despereaux when I stumbled upon your printable cards. The clipart is wonderful, and I know my students will enjoy using them for notetaking. Thank you!
Saved as a favorite, I love your website! I used the Character Silhouette activity with my students today. The results look good enough make a bulletin board featuring their artwork. Thank you so much for the great idea.
Excellent blog post. I definitely appreciate this site. Continue the good work!
I am using the character chart graphic organizer in my 6th grade special education classroom today! Thanks for posting!
Author
You’re welcome.