7th Grade Module 1: Who They Are and How

​Module 1: Who They Are and How

By Donna Kapa

Objectives

​Students will:

• Describe and identify examples of characterization techniques used by fiction writers.

• Compare and contrast the portrayal of characters in fiction and poetry.

• Analyze the development of a character in a novel.

Skills Needed

​Students must be able to:

• Explain the role of characters and character traits in advancing the plot of a novel.

Materials Needed

​Students will need:

• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

  • Complete Part 1

• Poetry Speaks Who I Am: 100 Poems of Discovery, Inspiration, Independence, and Everything Else for Teens edited by Elise Paschen

  • Ms. Kapa will provide poems.

Open Ended

What do you find most interesting or remarkable about the novel "Julie of the Wolves" so far? You might consider elements of characterization, the setting, or the conflict.

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of characterization in a story?

• The sequence of events that make up the story

• The time and place where the story happens

• The way a character develops through their actions, thoughts, words, and others' reactions

• The main problem or struggle in the story

Review

​Characterization

Answer questions to review characterization terms.

Categorize

Options (6)

Main character of the story

Often faces conflicts and challenges

Readers usually cheer for this character

Works against the main character

Creates obstacles or problems

Tries to stop the main character’s goal

Sort the following attributes into the correct category: Protagonist or Antagonist.

Protagonist

Antagonist

Match

Readers expect to learn about characters in two ways: directly and indirectly

Match the definition to the correct term.

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

• Inference

The narrator tells the reader

The reader makes inferences

A conclusion made by figuring out clues.

• The narrator tells the reader

• The reader makes inferences

• A conclusion made by figuring out clues.

Open Ended

In the highlighted example of indirect characterization, what what can the reader infer or conclude about about Mr. Leonard Mead?

Word by Word

​Poetry

• We do not yet have access to the book of poetry for this course. I am working on it.

• In the meantime, I am providing you with a handout with the poems.

Review

​Poetry

Answer questions to review characterization terms.

Drag and Drop

A ​

Placeholder

is a section of a poem--similar to a paragraph in a story.

The ​

Placeholder

in a poem is the person who is addressing the reader. (Sometimes the speaker and the poet are the same, but not always.)

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

stanza

speaker

verse

protagonist

Labelling

Label the stanzas.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Stanza 1

Stanza 2

Stanza 3

Open Ended

Who is the speaker in this poem? What is one way you know this?