Working on Character

     One of the target skills we have worked on this week has been the character element of plot.  Whenever a reader makes judgments about a character in a story they are making an inference, which as an informed guess based on evidence presented in the text.   Making inferences within reading comprehension is one of the big differences between third grade reading and what students have learned in K-2nd grade.

    When we infer about a character we look at evidence of the following:

• What the character says
• What the character does
• What the character thinks
• How the character treats and speaks to others

     One of the examples we discussed on Monday was Lucy Van Pelt from the Charlie Brown comics.

Lucy calls Charlie Brown a blockhead (what she says).  Lucy pulls the football away every time Charlie Brown tries to kick it (what she does).  The actions Lucy does reflects on how she treats Charlie Brown.  So I can infer that Lucy is sometimes mean and insensitive.

Why does he trust her???

     As you read stories or watch TV shows, discuss a characters actions and behaviors, and then make a judgment about the character.  Its a fun way to practice the skill!