Characterization activities

Creating character silhouettes is a creative way to conduct a close reading of character or figure from an assigned or selected fiction or nonfiction text. This activity can be used with any grade level, during or after reading any text, and reinforces the ideas of character and characterization while asking students to closely examine evidence from the text.

Browse over 420 educational resources created by Runde's Room in the official Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Creating word art is a creative way for students to closely analyze a character and select a symbol representative of the character's traits. You'll be surprised with the creativity of your students and even "non-artistic" students will enjoy this activity on characterization and symbolism.

Tried and true teaching tools, tips, ideas, lessons, and differentiated resources for the upper elementary classroom.

This handout and one-pager template teach direct and indirect characterization. It includes a STEAL chart that outlines the different methods of indirect characterization (speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, looks), along with accompanying excerpts from novels to illustrate how it reveals the character's personality. The one-pager template can be used for any story. It includes a banner in the middle for the character's name and sections for each part of the STEAL method.

Character Traits Worksheet.pdf

I created this character map that I use during stations. I copy the Character Traits on the back and have them highlight the traits that describe the character. Then, they write them on the front of the page in the Character Traits section. They draw an illustration of the character in the middle of the page. I love it because I can use it during stations for the story of the week, whole group, or they can even complete it independently using the main character from their AR book. Click on…

Check out these FREE character trait activities! This blog post contains a character traits anchor chart and an idea for a character trait lesson where students learn more challenging character trait vocabulary to create a collaborative class book! If you want students to move beyond "nice" and "mean" character trait responses, check this out!

Characterization - direct and indirect characterization

Indirect characterization STEAL method