Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Photocopy the Character Study and Interview Preparation worksheets for each student
2. Make a large version of the Character Study worksheet on chart paper
    a. Make sure to clearly write the headings and leave space to model one example

Implementation:

Session 1:

1. Explain to the students that they will portray a particular character from a class novel and answer interview questions about the story
2. Divide students into pairs and allow them to choose two characters from the novel
    a. Each student will portray one of the characters and interview the other
3. Model filling out the Character Study graphic organizer
    a. Use a character from a recent class novel or read-aloud
    b. Explain that this Character Study will help them get in the shoes of their character and think about
    how they would answer interview questions
    c. Brainstorm with the students a personality trait of that character
    d. Model flipping through the novel and finding a specific example to support the personality trait
    e. Be sure to write the page number of the specific example next to it in the graphic organizer
4. Model generating interview questions to ask the character
    a. Ask students to identify the major events that happened in the story
    b.Engage in a think-aloud and create an interview question around one of the major events
    c.Have students generate an interview question around another major event
    d. Remind students to ask open-ended questions, for example, questions that begin with “Why” or
    “How” instead of “Do you”
5. Allow each student to complete the Character Study worksheet for the character they will portray and to come up with questions on the Interview Preparation worksheet for the character they will interview
6. Invite students to swap interview questions with their partners and give them time to write out the answers they think their character would give, based on their Character Study

Session 2:
1. Give students time to independently rehearse their answers to the interview questions
2. Invite students to present their interviews to the class or to smaller novel study groups
3. When interviews are completed, have a whole class discussion on how the activity went
    a. Ask students reflection questions such as,
    “Were you surprised by any of the character’s answers?”, “Were the answers given by the students in
     character accurate representations of that character’s perspective in the novel?”
     b. Discuss how doing a Character Study can help students better

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Provide a list of common question words and statements to help students generate interview questions
- Use simpler language in wording the question

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Provide a list of common question words and statements to help students generate interview questions
- Allow students to type their answers on a computer or scribe for them as necessary
- Allow students to do interviews orally and only make brief notes

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Choose novels that reflect and celebrate classroom diversity

Differentiated Instruction:

- Provide one-on-one assistance to students as they complete the Character Study worksheet and prepare their answers for the interview
- Allow students to work in pairs or small groups to support each other as they complete their worksheets
- Allow the number and content of interview questions to vary based on student interest and ability

Related References

Source:
Swindall, V., & Cantrell, R. J. (1999). Character Interviews help bring literature to life. The Reading Teacher, 53, 23-25

Evidence:
Shanahan, T., & Shanahan, S. (1997) Character perspective charting: Helping children to develop more complete conceptions of story. The Reading Teacher, 50, 668-677.