Exploring Characters: Learning Characterization with Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Teaching Date: November 14, 2008 Grade Level: 7

Time Frame: 50 minutes Objectives:  Define characterization.  Identify the elements that contribute to characterization.  Identify character traits of characters in Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.  If time permits, explore character development and how conflict and resolution affect each character in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

SOL Objectives: 7.1 The student will give and seek information in conversations, in group discussions, and in oral presentations. 7.5a Describe setting, character development, plot structure, theme, and conflict. 7.5b Describe the impact of word choice, imagery, and poetic devices. 7.5e Draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information. 7.7b Use graphic organizers to organize information.

Assessment:  Character Maps  Writing prompts and notes

Resources:  Copy of Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi  Character Map handout  Pencil and paper

Content:  Rikki-Tikki-Tavi characters: Rikki-Tikki, Chuchundra, Nag, Nagina, Darzee  Characterization: the way an author presents a character and reveals character traits by what a character says, what a character thinks, what a character does, and how other characters respond to the character  If time permits, Character Development: o Problem: What is the character’s problem at the beginning of the story? o Goal: What does the character want to happen by the end of the story? o Outcome: How does the end of the story affect the character?

Instructional Activities: 1. Writing Prompt: What kinds of things do you look for in a story to understand what a character is like? [2 mins.] 2. Students share answers briefly. [3 mins.]

3. Move students into assigned jigsaw groups. [4 mins.]

4. Hand out Character Maps to each student in each group. [1 min.]

5. Have students find clues in the story and discuss the characterization of their assigned character to fill out the Character Map. [15 mins.]

6. Have students switch to assigned groups with one student representing each character. [3 mins.]

7. Students teach each other about their assigned character. Students are required to take notes on each character. [15 mins.]

8. Collect all Character Maps and notes. [2 mins.]

9. Wrap-Up: What is characterization?

10. Collect response. [1 min.]

11. Optional: If time permits, talk about Character Development using the character Rikki-Tikki and the three questions regarding Problem, Goal, and Outcome.