SmartRoom Hints, Ideas, & Tips

Characters

Students will recognize how literary characters reflect human characteristics. They will determine characters' traits by what they say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, soliloquy.

Character Web

Illustrate a selection.Use the Smart Board to list the characters and brainstorm the characteristics of each character. Ask the students to use  the Litopia Photo Gallery  to locate pictures that resemble what they think the characters looked like based on the words on the board and lines in the text.Write a short paragraph about the character beneath each picture.

Church Social

Church Social: Each student personifies a character from the selection by responding to questions posed by the visiting preacher.The social should include foods appropriate to the time period, setting,and a church social Each student should.* Choose a character* Be very familiar with that character* Bring a southern-style dish for the social hour. (see sign-up sheet)* Wear one article of clothing or accessory that suits the character.* Interact with others in character.* Complete Character analysis card described below* Discuss areas of your character analysis with the visiting preacher.Character Analysis Prior to the social the ìcharacters will fill out a card that provides the following information about their characters Your (character's) name.Your age (approximate).Your place of birth.Your occupation (if child, say student)Something about your family life (spouse, children, siblings, parents).Your accomplishments/achievements. What are you known for?Your interests. What do you like to do?

Conversations

Show students a painting of a group from  the Litopia Photo Gallery  and encourage them to do the following: What would the characters say?Speak in the voices of the people; address one of them, or interview them.Write the conversation between the individuals in the portrait.What are they saying to each other?What would they say to you?What would they say about you after you left them?

I Spy

Show students a portrait of group from  the Litopia Photo Gallery  and encourage them to do the following: Create a List Poem.Make a list of ìI Spyî Include lots of details, such as clothing, objects on the floor or the wall. Putting details in your poem will help readers imagine the portrait even if they can't see it.Exchange poems and ask students to draw the picture they see based on the list of details.

Match Game

Show students a series of portraits of individuals from  the Litopia Photo Gallery  and encourage them to answer the following about one of the portraits: What is the person feeling at this moment? What is the person thinking? What is s/he doing? Describe the person's actions. Follow the gaze of the person and imagine what s/he sees.Match Game: Read the descriptions and try to match the description to the portrait.

Memories

Show students a painting of individual from  the Litopia Photo Gallery  and encourage them to do the following: Go beyond the moment of the painting. What can't we see about this person? What is the person thinking? What will the person do next? Imagine the person's memories. Write a journal entry that beginswith "Once s/heÖ" or "Sometimes s/he feels as ifÖ" 

Mug Shots

In groups of three or four look through the Litopia Photo Gallery tofind pictures that would represent either characters or events in the work.Write a brief paragraph for each picture, explaining who or what is represented

Road TAKEN

Markthe characterís journey on a map (of the time period if possible). What would be the approximate mileage?Use MapQuest to find out how it suggests the character could have make that journey. What would be the directions for the character to locate you?

Whatís in the house

Explore the character's house a little more.Use the Smart Board to brain storm answers to the following questions about a specific character. What's in his/her wastepaper basket? Closet/locker? Bag/handbag/backpack? Car? Then ask the students to select a different character and make a poster illurating the items that could be associated with that character.

Whatís on the Bookshelf

What if the character lived today? What would be on his/her bookshelf or in his/her music, video, or art collection?Use the SmartBoard to brainstorm titles the characters might read. Ask the students to use the chracterís voice explain how the character would describe/review the modern pieces.