Character Profile Creation

Overview

This 60-minute lesson aims to develop the student’s analytical and descriptive skills by creating a detailed character profile of George Milton based exclusively on Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men. The lesson will deepen understanding of characterisation through close textual analysis, aligned with the National Curriculum for England’s expectations for Year 10 English students.

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National Curriculum Links

• Reading: Pupils should read and understand a wide range of literature drawn from many periods, including classic literature. They should develop knowledge of language, form, and structure, and appreciate how these create meanings, effects, and themes.
• Analysis: Analysing language, form, and structure to support interpretations (KS4 English programmes of study).
• Writing: Transcription and composition for a range of purposes and audiences, including imagining and exploring complex characters.
• Spoken language: Articulate ideas clearly and confidently, experimenting with vocabulary and expression to engage the listener.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and extract key character traits of George Milton from Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men.
2. Analyse how Steinbeck presents George through language, behaviour, and interactions.
3. Use quotations effectively to support character analysis.
4. Produce a clear, structured character profile demonstrating understanding of literary techniques.
5. Communicate their analysis both verbally and in writing.

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Success Criteria

• Key traits of George are identified with supporting evidence from the text.
• Analysis focuses on language features such as adjectives, dialogue, and narrative description.
• Quotations are integrated accurately within the profile.
• Written profile is organised with clear paragraphs and uses subject-specific vocabulary.
• Oral explanation demonstrates confident use of terminology.

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Resources Needed

• Copies of Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1 (text or digital)
• Character profile template (table or bullet points)
• Whiteboard or digital note-taking tool
• Highlighters or annotation tools
• Writing materials (notebook or computer)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin by briefly reviewing the plot and setting of Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men.
• Explain the focus: exploring George Milton’s character in depth.
• Clarify the purpose of a character profile: to compile evidence and analysis into a clear summary that reveals the character’s personality, motivations, relationships, and role in the text.
• Link to National Curriculum: This activity supports developing analytical skills and critical reading as outlined in the KS4 English programmes of study.

2. Guided Reading and Annotation (15 minutes)

• Read selected key passages featuring George, particularly his dialogue and Steinbeck’s descriptions.
• Model close reading: identify descriptive words, tone, behaviours, and interactions that reveal George’s character.
• Use annotation strategies (highlighting, underlining) to mark phrases showing aspects like responsibility, protectiveness, frustration, or pragmatism.
• Prompt the student with questions:
• What does George say about Lennie? What does it show about his responsibilities?
• How does Steinbeck describe George’s appearance and actions? What can we infer about his personality?
• Are there contradictions or complexities in George’s character?

3. Character Profile Construction (20 minutes)

• Present a structured character profile template with categories such as:
• Physical description
• Personality traits
• Relationships (especially with Lennie)
• Motivations and desires
• Important quotations
• Language features and effects
• Guide the student to fill in each category using evidence from Chapter 1.
• Encourage them to paraphrase and expand beyond simple description by explaining how language contributes to understanding George.
• Support use of subject-specific terminology (e.g., ‘dialogue reveals frustration’, ‘metaphor illustrating hope’).

4. Oral Explanation and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Have the student verbally present their character profile in a concise, engaging summary.
• Ask questions about choices made in their analysis to deepen understanding and reasoning.
• Discuss how this profile might evolve as the novel progresses, encouraging critical thinking about character development.
• Reflect on how this analytical approach can be applied to other literature.

5. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Recap the learning objectives and success criteria, asking the student to self-assess their progress.
• Provide constructive feedback on strengths and areas to develop, especially the use of evidence and depth of analysis.
• Set a brief follow-up task to extend learning: for example, writing a short paragraph predicting how George’s character might change, supported by their profile.

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Differentiation and Extension

• For additional challenge, invite the student to compare George’s portrayal with Lennie’s in the same chapter, highlighting contrasts.
• If the student requires support, provide sentence starters and a glossary of literary terms.
• Encourage use of expressive vocabulary and varied sentence structures for stronger written analysis.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative assessment via annotation discussions and guided questioning.
• Summative assessment through the completed character profile and oral presentation.
• Use of success criteria checklist to give focused feedback aligned to KS4 expectations.

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This lesson plan maximises engagement with Of Mice and Men through an in-depth character study, fostering critical thinking, textual analysis, and communication skills tailored to Year 10 National Curriculum standards.