2.1 Read About Positive Personal and Cultural Identity Through Stories

2.1B Each Kindness - Character Study

Every story has characters. Characters can be people, animals, or even objects. How do we learn about a character's personal identity? 

• By what they say
• By their actions
• By what they think
• By what other characters say about them
• How other characters react to them

We can learn their internal traits (feelings, personality, gender expression) and external traits (appearance – height, hair, etc, / actions – rock collector, soccer player, bully) - traits make up their personal identity. 

Some characters develop and change, often because they learn a lesson. These characters are called DYNAMIC characters. 

Watch this video to learn more about character traits and character development. 

You are going to explore the award-winning story, "Each Kindness". Notice the powerful anti-bullying message and amazing art. The main characters are Chloe and Maya. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. 

As you listen to the story, pay attention to Maya and Chloe. What are their traits? What evidence shows this? What lessons are learned? You will be asked to identify character traits in your Learning Guide and to give evidence from the story that shows the traits you choose. Can you figure out which character is a dynamic character? (This means it is a character who changes as a result of the events in the story.)

Something to think about: What is something you did or said in the last 24 hours that shows something about what kind of person you are? What does it show or tell us about your personal identity? 

Complete the activity in your Learning Guide.