Procedure:
- During or after reading a story or a book (also a story book or picture book), the students create a portrait or a profile of the protagonist or several important figures. This can be accomplished as an individual assignment or with a partner. Prior to the assignment, some of the salient points for such a portrait or profile are discussed; e.g.
- Where does the person live?
- What does the person look like?
- What can this person do particularly well, and what not?
- What worries this person?
- What do you know about this person’s family?
- Which other figures are important for this person?
- Would you like to be friends with this person, and if yes, why?
- If no, why not?
- Besides the written responses, the portrait should also include a drawing of the person.
- These portraits are then discussed and compared, first in groups, then in the class as a whole.
Remarks:
The project can, of course, be conducted as well with students in grades 7–9. The assignments can become easier or more challenging, depending on the figure, the language and the course of action.