The Red- Nosed Reindeer...Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis Teacher’s Instructions & Notes Purpose: Identify conflicts in a story and classify them by type. Distinguish

©2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.com

A Common Core Literary

Analysis for

Grades 4-8

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed

Reindeer

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Table of Contents*

Teacher’s Instructions & Notes 3-7

Student & Teacher Content Reference Guide 8

Student Viewing Guide 9-10

Student Viewing Guide Sample Answers for Teacher 11-12

Character Analysis Templates 13-15

Static & Dynamic Character Templates 16-17

Plot Tree Templates 18-20

Plot Tree Sample Answers 21

Types of Conflict Templates 22-25

Cover Page Templates 26

Credits 27

2 © 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.com

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Teacher’s Instructions & Notes*

Purpose: Identify conflicts in a story and classify them by type. Distinguish between static and dynamic characters and justify classifications. Describe characters using character traits with evidence to back up traits. Analyze a story’s plot by describing its exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, setting, protagonist, and antagonist.

Technology/Resources: A copy of the original “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer” movie Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-Burl-Ives/dp/B000A345E4

How to: 1.  Begin by reviewing the concepts in the Reference Guide. My students must use their interactive

notebooks as a reference source, but if your students do not use them or do not have all concepts in them already, just print out the Reference Guide and let them use a copy during the viewing.

2.  While watching the movie, students complete the 2 page viewing guide. Make sure to go over the instructions, including the Before, During, and After viewing instructions. Most parts are open response, but I’ve included sample answers in this document so that you do not have to think of any yourself.

3.  Once students have finished their Viewing Guide (mine must have their answers approved by me or a designated student-mentor) lapbook assembly can begin. See “How to Construct a Lapbook” and the “Rudolph Lapbook Construction Guide.”


Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Teacher’s Instructions & Notes*

The Rudolph Lapbook Construction Guide

Diagram: Left Spread

Character Analysis (heading)

Glue gifts down as pockets, making sure to only put glue dots on sides and bottom so that cards can slip into top. For the 4 character cards, decide if each should go in the static column or dynamic column. Write out the justification for the type of character on the back of the card.

Gift Pocket w/Character Card Inside




Static Characters (heading)

Dynamic Characters (heading)

(character’s name)

Character Photo (Hermey or Rudolph)

Ornaments Section

(Character Traits on top of ornament with evidence for each under ornament flap)

Write out evidence for each character trait on the “shadow” outline, then cut out just inside the outlines and glue down under each matching ornament that contains the character trait.


Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Reference Guide*

Before viewing Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer, review these literary terms.

Elements of Plot:

Exposition: The first part of the story where the setting, characters, and basic situation are revealed. Rising Action: The main part of the story where conflicts and complications arise and move the plot along Climax: The most exciting or intense part of the story for the protagonist; usually a turning point; the OMG! Falling Action: Events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution Resolution: Loose ends of the plot are tied up, remaining questions are answered, and conflicts are resolved.

Types of Conflict:

Internal Conflict: Takes place inside a character’s mind or heart and often involves a decision External Conflict: Takes place between a character and something outside the character such as other characters, nature, or society Man vs. Man: a struggle, mental or physical, between two characters; usually involves the protagonist and antagonist Man vs. Society: a struggle between a character and the laws or beliefs of a group; might involve poverty, politics, social norms, expectations, or values Man vs. Nature: a struggle between a character and mother nature; might involve weather, animals, insects, sickness, epidemics Man vs. Self: a struggle between a character and his feelings, conscience, or fear

Character Traits:

adjectives that describe a character’s personality or how he is on the inside Physical traits describe how a character looks and can be seen. Character traits cannot be seen.

Types of Characters:

protagonist – the main character in a story or work of literature antagonist – the character or force in conflict with the protagonist dynamic character – a character who undergoes an important inner change such as a change in beliefs, personality, or attitude static character – a character whose personality stays basically the same throughout a story and does not go through a significant change

Sample Character Traits anxious

easygoing optimistic

pessimistic depressed cowardly

courageous cruel

honest responsible

peaceful obnoxious

loyal mysterious

naughty independent

impatient humorous hopeless

demanding

attentive grouchy

ambitious brainy

glamorous fair

gentle thoughtful thankful obedient innocent

intelligent arrogant stubborn brilliant

eager dutiful

lazy shy

secretive

setting – the time and place of a story conflict – a struggle between two characters or opposing forces complications – problems that arise as characters struggle to reach their goals


Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Viewing Guide*

Conflicts:

1)   Hermey is an elf, but deep down he wishes he were a dentist.

2) Mrs. Claus and Santa bicker over Santa’s weight.

3) Rudolph must decide if he will endanger his friends or go out on his own.

4) After running away, Hermey and Rudolph are trapped in a snowstorm.

5) Rudolph isn’t allowed to play in any reindeer games because his nose is different.

6) It’s Christmas Eve night, but heavy fog makes it difficult to fly a sleigh.

Elements of Plot:

Exposition:

Rising Action:

Climax:

Falling Action:

Resolution:

Static & Dynamic Characters: Indicate whether each character is static or dynamic. Then, justify your answer.

Come back and write the type of conflict next to each.

man vs. self

man vs. man

man vs. self

man vs. nature

man vs. society

man vs. nature

Rudolph – Dynamic Rudolph grows up and matures and realizes that he can’t hide from his troubles forever. He is more confident.

Hermey – Static Hermey doesn’t undergo an important inner change; he is allowed to practice dentistry so he doesn’t need to.

Yukon Cornelius – Static Yukon doesn’t undergo any important changes and stays basically the same throughout the story.

Abominable Snowman – Dynamic The Abominable Snowman is reformed by Yukon. He changes from a ruthless monster into a kind and helpful monster.

Sample Answers

The story is set at the North Pole, or Christmas Town. The main characters are Rudolph and Hermey. Other characters are Donner, Mrs. Donner, Clarice, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Yukon Cornelius, the Abominable Snowman, and the misfit toys. When the story begins, Santa is preparing for the Christmas season. Rudolph is born with a shiny red nose. And Hermey the elf is unhappy because he wants to be a dentist, not an elf.

Because of his red nose, Rudolph is not allowed to play reindeer games. He runs away with unhappy Hermey. They find Yukon Cornelius and he helps them escape the Abominable Snowman. They end up on the Island of Misfit Toys where they promise to tell Santa about them. Rudolph sets out on his own and grows up to realize he can’t run forever. He returns home to find they are looking for him. He finds and rescues them from the snowman.

Santa decides he must call off Christmas because the weather is too foggy, when he spots Rudolph and has an idea! He asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh with his red nose.

Rudolph guides Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve night. They collect the toys from the Island of Misfit Toys.

The misfit toys get new homes. Santa wishes a Merry Christmas as he flies off into the night with Rudolph.



Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis Characterization Templates



Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis Credits

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The Red- Nosed Reindeer...Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis *Teacher’s Instructions & Notes* Purpose: Identify conflicts in a story and classify them by type. Distinguish

The Red- Nosed Reindeer...Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ Literary Analysis Teacher’s Instructions & Notes Purpose: Identify conflicts in a story and classify them by type. Distinguish