Character T-Charts

Thanks, Cami!

"Yesterday, at the study group you asked me if I had information on character T charts. Well, this morning as I was browsing the information from Family School (put out by American Heritage School) that I will be using with my youngers this school year I found this great concise direction.

Character Charts
Character charts are useful tools in examining characters in history, literature, and poetry. Elder Richard G. Scott instructed, “Faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used. Character is woven patiently from threads of principle, doctrine, and obedience” (“The Transforming Power of Faith and Character.” Ensign. November 2011). One purpose for creating character charts is to reason or evaluate the development of characters. Another purpose for this method is the development of character in the reader as the noble character of others is examined. A third purpose is to develop the reader’s ability to reason, particularly from cause to effect.

Instructions: Elementary Grades
1. The child folds the sheet of notebook paper down the middle.
2. Then a line is drawn along the title line of the paper. On the title line or the top of a “T,” the child writes “External.” The child reasons from the source the external characteristics of the character, or what the character looks like externally.
3. The same is done for the right side of the fold in the paper or stem of a “T,” as the child writes “Internal.” The internal character qualities are reasoned and listed.
4. Both lists should contain exact language from the text, including page number. This is an opportunity to teach precision and the use of quotation marks.

Instructions: Upper Grades
The goal in the upper grades is to intensify the reasoning from the text and the discerning of internal character.
1. It is not necessary to fold the paper or draw a “T”. The Chart can simply consist of two columns.
2. Rather than “External” over the left column, the title “Internal Characteristics” is used. The child reasons the characteristics. Some children have a tendency to list actions rather than characteristics. The instruction to use an intransitive linking verb rather than an action verb typically solves this problem.
3. The right-hand column is titled “Evidence.” Exact language from the text and proper citations are required.

I hope that helps getting a vision (like I said this was from American Heritage School, so their vision of character T charts.)"