A fun way to get your students to connect with and understand the two main characters is to have them compare and contrast their qualities.
Students can use the text to find traits of the boy and the man (sign painter). Students can work individually or in pairs to research and compile a list of evidence. Once students have traits for each character, they can compare/contrast. Students will describe the traits they compiled about the boy on one side and the traits they discovered about the man on the other.
The text does not explicitly state traits of the characters, but one can use the dialogue and illustrations to infer ideas about the characters.
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Student Instructions
Compare and contrast the main characters.
Create a classroom anchor chart highlighting character traits for the boy and the man from The Sign Painter.
Why: Visual aids help students organize their thoughts and notice differences and similarities in characters, making comparison easier and more meaningful.
Show students how to find character traits by examining what characters say and how they are shown in pictures.
Why: This helps students develop critical thinking skills and deepens their understanding of the text, especially when traits are not directly stated.
Encourage students to search for quotes, actions, and images that support each trait they identify.
Why: Gathering evidence teaches students to back up their ideas and strengthens their analytical skills.
Lead a class or small group discussion where students share and debate their findings.
Why: Collaborative conversation helps students see different perspectives and improves communication skills.
Invite students to draw scenes or symbols that represent character traits and differences.
Why: Creative expression allows students to connect more personally with the characters and reinforces comprehension.
To compare and contrast characters in The Sign Painter, students should gather character traits from the text and illustrations, then list similarities and differences between the boy and the man. This helps students understand each character's motivations and personalities.
The boy is younger, quiet, dreams of becoming a painter, and is willing to take risks. The man is older, talkative, follows rules, and is focused on completing tasks as a sign painter. These traits can be inferred from their actions, dialogue, and illustrations in the book.
A simple activity is to have students list character traits for each main character using evidence from the text and pictures, then create a compare-and-contrast chart or illustrations showing differences and similarities.
Students can examine illustrations for clues about how characters act, their expressions, and interactions. These visual details often reveal traits not stated directly in the text, supporting deeper character analysis.
The activity is best suited for grades 2–3, as it helps developing readers practice inference and compare-and-contrast skills in a manageable, engaging way.