This activity allows for a more in-depth look at one or more characters with a focus on character traits. Students should provide textual evidence to support the character trait they choose. Students can support their ideas with dialogue, thoughts, or actions of the character they are portraying.
Here is an example of a character trait storyboard using Storyboard That’s grid layout. This example features two character traits for Nick Allen and Mrs. Granger, but students can analyze the character traits for any or all of the characters.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Identify and illustrate character traits for a specific character in Frindle.
Encourage students to share their chosen character traits in a discussion circle. This method builds confidence and deepens understanding as students explain their thinking to peers.
Prompt students to support each trait with direct quotes or actions from the book. Highlighting textual evidence strengthens analysis and reading comprehension.
Demonstrate sentence starters for agreeing or disagreeing (e.g., “I see your point, but…”). This fosters a respectful classroom environment and teaches constructive conversation skills.
Assign roles such as discussion leader, evidence finder, and summarizer. Rotating roles keeps everyone engaged and accountable during the activity.
Ask students to jot down what they learned about the character and the value of using evidence. This simple reflection reinforces key insights and helps you assess understanding.
Nick Allen in Frindle is known for being creative, innovative, brave, thoughtful, and intelligent. These traits are shown through his inventive ideas and his willingness to challenge the status quo.
Students can identify character traits in Frindle by finding textual evidence such as dialogue, thoughts, or actions that reveal a character’s personality. For example, quoting what a character says or describing their behavior in a scene supports their traits.
The OSCAR method is a strategy for analyzing characters by looking at their Openness, Speech, Choices, Actions, and Responses. It helps students break down how a character’s traits are revealed in Frindle.
Effective ways include using storyboard activities to illustrate traits, group discussions to cite textual evidence, and providing templates for students to organize their analysis visually and in writing.
Storyboard That can be used to create visual storyboards where students illustrate and explain character traits using characters, scenes, and items from Frindle, making the analysis engaging and interactive.