Building a Character

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Lesson Overview

• Grade Level: 7th Grade
• Subject: English
• Topic: Using Creative Writing to Build Characters
• Timing: 45 minutes
• Curriculum Area: English Language Arts (ELA), Writing
• Standards Addressed: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
• Cross-Curriculum Focus: Character education in alignment with Christian values (honesty, kindness, responsibility).

This lesson focuses on creative writing skills through character creation. It integrates values like honesty, kindness, and responsibility, encouraging students to reflect on good character traits as they develop fictional characters.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Develop a fictional character by using descriptive writing techniques.
2. Incorporate Christian values (honesty, kindness, responsibility) into their character’s traits.
3. Work collaboratively and provide constructive feedback to their peers.

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Materials Needed

1. Whiteboard and markers
2. Student journals or notebooks
3. Printable character template (provided by teacher)
4. Pencil or pen for each student

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Lesson Procedure

1. Warm-up Activity: Discussing Character Traits (10 minutes)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge about character traits with a values-based discussion.

• Step 1: Begin by writing the words Honesty, Kindness, and Responsibility on the whiteboard.
• Step 2: Open discussion prompt:
  • What do these words mean to you? Can you think of examples in life where you've seen these traits?
  • Students raise hands to share answers (ensure classroom respect and attentiveness during this time).
  • Guide subtly toward examples that could align with storytelling (e.g., "an honest hero" or "a caring teacher").
• Step 3: Transition by explaining: "Today, you’re going to create your own characters, and we’ll bring these values into who they are."

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2. Guided Instruction: Character Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Introduce students to the elements of character creation.

• Step 1: Write these key questions on the board:
  • What is your character’s name?
  • What do they look like?
  • What are their main traits—Honesty? Bravery? Kindness?
  • What is one problem or challenge they face?
• Step 2: Provide an example:
  • Let’s create a character on the board together! Her name is Sarah. She is kind and responsible but sometimes struggles to speak up when something is unfair. Her challenge is finding her voice.
  • Add physical elements, like appearance, for detail.
• Step 3: Ask students to jot down quick notes in response to these questions in their journals for their own character ideas.

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3. Independent Work: Character Development (15 minutes)

Objective: Allow students to create their own characters while embedding values.

• Step 1: Distribute the character-building template, which asks guiding questions like:
  1. Name
  2. Age
  3. Appearance
  4. Personality traits (students circle "honesty," "kindness," and "responsibility" next to the traits they choose to emphasize).
  5. What is one good choice the character has made?
  6. What is one challenge/problem the character faces and how will they solve it responsibly?
• Step 2: Encourage descriptive writing! Prompt: "If your character is kind, show it by describing a kind action they have done. Avoid just saying 'They are kind.' Show their kindness!"
• Step 3: Walk around the room offering guidance and asking:
  • “How will you show they are honest?”
  • “What mistake might they make, and how could they responsibly correct it?”

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4. Peer Sharing and Reflection (8 minutes)

Objective: Build collaborative skills and mutual respect in the classroom.

• Step 1: Pair students (or group them in threes for time efficiency).
• Step 2: Each student shares their character and receives constructive feedback:
  • Partners ask, “How did you show kindness (or honesty or responsibility) in your character?”
  • Partners suggest ways to add more detail (e.g., “What does their kindness look like in action?”).
• Step 3: Wrap up by gathering the entire class for a quick question: "Who heard about a character today that inspired them? Why?"

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5. Closing Reflection (2 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce the central theme of why values matter in writing and life.

• Step 1: Recap the importance of honesty, kindness, and responsibility when writing characters and in real life.
• Step 2: End with this thought:
  • "As writers, you are creating worlds and characters who reflect the best of what we see in ourselves and others. Continue to think about how your characters can inspire kindness, honesty, and responsibility not just in stories, but in how we live."

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Homework

Students will expand on their character creation by writing a one-paragraph backstory for their character (Who are they? Where do they come from? What important event shaped them?) Include at least one action from their past that demonstrates one of the three core values.

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Assessment

• Successful completion of individual character templates in class.
• Peer feedback to ensure that values are incorporated into their characters.
• Homework paragraph to be assessed for creativity and integration of Christian values.

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Teacher Tips

• Make this a relaxing and fun experience for students by encouraging flexibility and creativity.
• Emphasize the importance of listening and mutual respect during peer discussions.
• Consider showcasing a few students’ characters at the next class!

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