What is Your Child Learning?
Sixth graders learn to analyze character development - how characters change, grow, and respond to challenges throughout a story. This skill helps students understand story themes, make predictions, and connect more deeply with literature.
On Florida's FAST assessment, students must identify how characters change, explain their motivations, and support their analysis with specific evidence from the text.
Key Vocabulary
Character Development: How a character changes, grows, or transforms throughout a story
Dynamic Character: A character who changes significantly during the story
Static Character: A character who stays the same throughout the story
Motivation: The reasons WHY a character does what they do
Direct Characterization: When the author directly tells us about a character
Indirect Characterization: When we figure out traits from actions, speech, and thoughts
The STEAL Method: How Authors Reveal Characters
Help your child use this acronym to analyze characters:
- S - Speech: What does the character say? How do they say it?
- T - Thoughts: What is the character thinking or feeling?
- E - Effect on Others: How do other characters react to them?
- A - Actions: What does the character do?
- L - Looks: How is the character described physically?
Activities to Try at Home
📺 TV Character Tracker
While watching a TV show or movie together, analyze a character's development:
- "How was this character at the beginning of the episode/movie?"
- "What challenge or problem did they face?"
- "How are they different at the end? What did they learn?"
- "What motivated them to change (or not change)?"
Bonus: Compare how two characters respond to the same challenge differently!
📚 Before & After Conversations
After reading a chapter or finishing a book, discuss character change:
- Create a simple two-column chart: "Beginning" and "End"
- List the main character's traits, beliefs, and behaviors in each column
- Discuss: "What event or interaction caused this change?"
- Connect: "Have you ever changed your mind about something? What caused it?"
🤔 Motivation Detective
For any character action, play "detective" and figure out WHY:
- "What does this character want?" (their goal)
- "What are they afraid of?" (what they want to avoid)
- "What do they believe or value?" (their principles)
Example: "The character lied to their friend. Why? Maybe they were afraid of losing the friendship, or they valued protecting their friend's feelings more than honesty in that moment."
🎠Real-Life Character Analysis
Apply character analysis skills to real people (with sensitivity):
- Discuss historical figures: "How did this person change over their life?"
- Talk about personal growth: "How are you different now than last year?"
- Analyze athletes or public figures: "What motivated them to succeed?"
Questions to Ask While Reading
- "How is this character feeling right now? What makes you think so?"
- "Why do you think the character made that choice?"
- "How would you feel in this character's situation?"
- "Do you think this character will change? Why or why not?"
- "Is this character more like the beginning or end of their journey?"
- "What does this character's action tell us about what they value?"
Parent Tip: Dynamic vs. Static Characters
Students sometimes think "dynamic = good" and "static = bad." Clarify this:
Dynamic: The character changes significantly (learns something, grows, transforms)
Static: The character stays the same throughout
Both types are valuable! A static character might represent unchanging loyalty or consistent values. The key is understanding WHY the author made that choice.
Common Character Traits Word Bank
Positive Traits
brave, loyal, honest, kind, determined, resourceful, compassionate, patient, creative, responsible, humble, generous
Challenging Traits
impatient, selfish, stubborn, jealous, fearful, impulsive, proud, dishonest, careless, insecure, judgmental, naive
Note: Characters often have both positive and challenging traits - that's what makes them realistic!
Suggested Books with Strong Character Development
- "The Giver" by Lois Lowry - Jonas's transformation as he learns the truth about his society
- "Holes" by Louis Sachar - Stanley Yelnats's growth through adversity
- "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton - Ponyboy's evolving understanding of identity and belonging
- "Refugee" by Alan Gratz - Three protagonists who develop resilience through hardship
- "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio - Multiple characters who change through knowing Auggie
- "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds - Castle's journey from anger to purpose
Informacion para Padres (Spanish Summary)
Que esta aprendiendo su hijo? Los estudiantes de sexto grado aprenden a analizar el DESARROLLO DE PERSONAJES - como los personajes cambian, crecen y responden a desafios en una historia.
Vocabulario clave:
- Personaje Dinamico: Un personaje que cambia significativamente durante la historia
- Personaje Estatico: Un personaje que permanece igual
- Motivacion: Las razones POR QUE un personaje hace lo que hace
Preguntas para hacer:
- "Como era este personaje al principio?"
- "Que desafio enfrento?"
- "Como es diferente al final? Que aprendio?"
- "Por que crees que el personaje tomo esa decision?"
Metodo STEAL: Los autores revelan personajes a traves de lo que Dicen (Speech), Piensan (Thoughts), su Efecto en otros (Effect), sus Acciones (Actions), y su Apariencia (Looks).