For kindergarten through second-grade students, fairy tales can provide an introduction to character analysis. Students in the younger grades generally are familiar with these stories, so it is easier to point out character descriptions, conflict and change. Students can easily compare the "good" fairy godmother with the "evil" stepmother in the story "Cinderella." Use a graphic organizer shaped like the particular character you are analyzing and provide space for students to write their descriptions. As they become skilled in identifying descriptive words for the character, ask leading questions to deepen their knowledge of the characters in the stories.
Designed for second- to fourth-grade students, begin by giving students time to read one of the Geronimo Stilton books independently. Before beginning the character analysis, read the story aloud to your class. Choose a character to use as an example and model the descriptive words you want for the character's thoughts, feelings, actions and behaviors. Note physical description as well. Talk to your class about taking special notice of how this particular character gets along with other characters. Ask students if they notice any conflict or problems and if their character was able to find a solution. Have students create a mobile with a wire hanger and shapes cut from construction paper. After choosing a character from the story, each student should write physical descriptions, strengths, weaknesses, conflicts and changes in character development to complete their character analysis mobile.
Designed for the middle school students, this lesson should take approximately four, 40-minute periods to complete. After reading a novel assigned by the teacher, students should work in groups of four to create a life-size character of a particular character assigned to them. There are four categories: the character's voice, deeds, looks and thoughts and feelings. Each student should analyze one category. If a student finishes before the others, she may help her group members. Following that, each group should trace one of their members and cut out the life-size characters. They should glue their writing to their character and present it to the class. The class should compare and contrast all the characters from the novel.
Instruct your high school students to read "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When finished, instruct them to complete an illustration of each character in the story. Have them write an analysis under each illustration that includes a physical description, details of the character's personality traits, likes and dislikes and any other pertinent details that distinguish the character from other characters in the story. Following that, students should watch the movie and compare and contrast the description of their character analysis with the actors who were chosen for the characters in the movie.