In this activity students will compare and contrast characters within the text. In this example, Jess is compared to Leslie. The two characters are both caring and motivated people; however, their interests and desires for adventure are much different.
| Jess | Leslie |
|---|---|
| Jess has many fears: he panics at the thought of scuba diving, and lays in bed worrying about jumping the creek. | Leslie doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. |
| Jess tries to avoid his family as much as possible, really only caring for his younger sister, May Belle. | Leslie enjoys spending time with her dad, helping him fix up the house, and listening to his stories. |
| Jess doesn't have self-confidence; he thinks he is stupid and hides his drawing talents from people in fear that he will be made fun of. | Leslie is well-read and bright; she also has quite the imagination and encourages creativity. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Compare and Contrast characters in the text.
Invite students to keep a character motivation journal as they read. This helps students track what drives each character’s actions and decisions throughout the story.
Ask each student to pick Jess or Leslie and dedicate a section of their notebook to that character. Creating a focused space encourages organization and ownership.
Remind students to jot down what motivates their chosen character after every chapter, noting any changes or new influences. This builds reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Organize small group or whole-class discussions where students share discoveries from their journals. Comparing motivations across characters leads to richer conversations and deeper understanding.
Have students reflect on how character motivations connect to the story’s bigger themes, either in writing or through a creative project. This helps students synthesize their learning and make meaningful connections.
Students can compare and contrast characters in Bridge to Terabithia by identifying each character's traits, interests, and motivations. Using a graphic organizer or chart, they can list similarities and differences between characters like Jess and Leslie, focusing on their fears, relationships, and creativity.
Jess is often fearful, lacks self-confidence, and keeps his talents hidden, while Leslie is adventurous, imaginative, and openly enjoys spending time with her family. Their contrasting personalities highlight their unique approaches to challenges and friendship.
An effective activity is to have students use a compare and contrast chart or Venn diagram. Students write each character's name at the top, list traits in separate columns, and add illustrations or examples from the story to support their observations.
Comparing and contrasting characters helps 4th and 5th graders build critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. It encourages them to analyze personalities, motives, and actions, leading to a deeper understanding of the story and its themes.
Students can draw scenes, create digital illustrations, or use storyboards to highlight key differences between Jess and Leslie. Including dialogue or specific story moments helps make the contrasts more vivid and engaging.