Tackling Character Traits with Trade Books

Elementary teachers looking to teach character traits through authentic texts will find this post helpful. It includes lesson ideas, read-aloud recommendations, a fantastic freebie, and inspiration to teach in a way that brings joy to your instruction.

“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

— Malala Yousafzai

This morning we started our day with Malala’s Magic Pencil. 

We admired the beautiful illustrations.
We wondered aloud throughout the text.
We used our senses to smell the rancid garbage heap next to her home, to kick a makeshift soccer ball made out of an old sock stuffed with rubbish, and to feel her anger and frustration at the way women and girls were treated in her native Pakistan. 

And as soon as I turned the last page I took a deep breath and asked one simple question: 

So. How would you describe Malala? 

Crickets for a few seconds. 

And then, finally, a hand.

“She’s really brave.”

Yes, I absolutely agree that she’s brave. But can you elaborate? What did she do that shows that she’s brave?

“Because she stood up to men much bigger than she was and more dangerous.”

Ooh, another hand.  

“She’s determined because she kept writing that what was happening in Pakistan was wrong. And she didn’t stop writing until things changed.” 

Yes? You there, waving your hand like it’s on fire?

“She’s really outspoken because she speaks up and says what’s on her mind and isn’t afraid of what people think.”

Ok, super stars. We’ve addressed that she’s brave, determined, and outspoken. How do all of those characteristics affect what happens in the story? Can you turn and talk to your partner about this?

I don’t know about you all, but I shudder to think what would have happened if she hadn’t been brave, determined, and outspoken.

{LAFS.3.RL.1.3- Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.} 

They got it without the use of a textbook. Or a flipchart. Or a leveled reader. Or a bland passage.

Here’s how they learn about character traits: I read them books.

Real books. By real authors.  

Pick a book, any book, with strongly developed characters and that is highly enjoyable for you to read aloud. It doesn’t require fancy lesson plans. Or animated videos. Or trips to the photocopier.

Isn’t our ultimate goal to create real readers? Well, real readers read books and real readers talk about them.

Additionally, the more books we share with students the more genres, authors, writing styles, and human experiences they are exposed to. 

They absorb robust vocabulary and sophisticated language structure. 

They begin to understand humanity and world around them. (IMO, what better way to develop their character than through characters?)

It gives them a chance to explore genres and texts they wouldn’t normally select on their own. And chances are high they will be inspired to pick up those same books later on down the road to read independently. 

 And… it sure does make teaching something like character traits a whole lot more freakin’ fun. 

Are there any books you love using as teaching tools? I’d love to add some new titles to my shelf ♥

P.S. I included a little freebie for you that I think you’ll love! 👇

yours in reading,
rawley

Read aloud the specially-selected short passages to students and have a discussion about character traits. Or have students read on their own and complete the handout. It’s completely open-ended! You don’t need copies of the books but you may want to have a few on standby just in case your students want to hear more! (The hope is that by reading a little snippet from the books and discussing the characters your students will be inspired to pick up a copy and read more on their own.) ♥