How do you determine who a character really is?

In this lesson you will analyze a character’s actions by

recording what a character does and how he does it.

Let’s Review

Tom:• Has to paint the fence,

but doesn’t want to.• Friends with Jim, who is

a slave.• Tries to convince

people with his words.

A Common Mistake

Character Theory:

Words Thoughts Actions

How?

Core LessonCore Lesson

“Why, ain’t THAT work?”

Tom resumed his whitewashing, and answered carelessly: “Well, maybe it is, and maybe it ain’t. All I know, is, it suits Tom Sawyer.”

“Oh come, now, you don’t mean to let on that you LIKE it?”

“Like it? Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it. Does a boy get a chance to white wash a fence every day?”

That put the thing in a new light. Ben stopped nibbling his apple…”Say Tom, let ME whitewash a little.”

Tom is whitewashing the wall and talking to Ben.

What is Tom doing?

Core LessonCore Lesson

“Why, ain’t THAT work?”

Tom resume his whitewashing, and answered carelessly: “Well, maybe it is, and maybe it ain’t. All I know, is, it suits Tom Sawyer.”

“Oh come, now, you don’t mean to let on that you LIKE it?”

“Like it? Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it. Does a boy get a chance to white wash a fence every day?”

That put the thing in a new light. Ben stopped nibbling his apple…”Say Tom, let ME whitewash a little.”

Tom is being sneaky, by telling Ben he likes painting, and continuing to do it. He tricks Ben into thinking it is fun and that he wants to try.

HOW is Tom doing it?

Core LessonCore Lesson

This scene matters because it shows us that Tom is willing to use his words and actions into tricking people. He tricks Ben into thinking that painting is fun, when Tom himself actually really hates the task.

Why does this matter?

Core LessonCore Lesson

Ask: What is the character doing?1

2 Ask: How is the character doing it?

3 Ask: Why does it matter?

In this lesson you have learned to analyze a character’s

actions by recording what a character does and how he

does it.

Guided Practice

“Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some.”

Jim shook his head…

“And besides I will show you my sore toe.”

Jim was only human—this attraction was too much for him. He put down his pail, took the white alley, and bent over the toes with absorbing interest while the bandage was being unwound.

What is Tom doing??

Guided Practice

“Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some.”

Jim shook his head…

“And besides I will show you my sore toe.”

Jim was only human—this attraction was too much for him. He put down his pail, took the white alley, and bent over the toes with absorbing interest while the bandage was being unwound.

How is Tom doing it??

Guided PracticeWhy does it

matter?

Extension Activities

Group Extension:

Working as a class or in small groups read a selected text. Then apply the three-steps to record what a character is doing, how he/she is doing it, and why it matters.

Extension Activities

Individual Extension:

Using the three steps and a character from your independent reading book, record what a character is doing, how they are doing it, and why it matters.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

In “Playing Hooky”…

What is Sid doing ??

Quick QuizQuick Quiz How is Sid doing it??

Quick QuizQuick QuizWhy does it

matter?