Life-Size Character Model Book Project
Name: _______________________________ Due Date: __________________________
You will create a life-size representation of your character.
This project is all about how the author developed your main character. You will be focusing on the
physical attributes of your main character, as well as on his or her personality traits. Often, these
traits are inferred by the author through the telling of the story.
While reading your chosen novel, you will need to fill out the graphic organizer on the following page.
You will be looking for ways in which the author develops the character: through his or her thoughts,
actions, conversations, and the thoughts of the other characters in the book.
When your project is complete, it should reflect your creativity and a thorough understanding
of your character.
From Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen:
EX:
Overwhelmed
“He stood, his breathing ragged, sobbing softly. Twice he had thrown up…” (pg.
29)
Samuel felt overwhelmed by the prospect of his parents being kidnapped by the
savages who had overtaken their farm and killed so many innocent people. He
HAD to find them.
NOT:
Overwhelmed
“Samuel was excited, frightened and overwhelmed all at the same time.” (pg. 15)
Samuel was overwhelmed by the news being spread about the fighting in
Lexington and Concord.
Steps:
1. While reading your book, notice the physical and personality traits of your main
character. Take notes while you’re reading on the graphic organizer I provided
so that you can easily transfer the information onto your final character model.
2. You will need to list at least 10 character traits that describe your main character.
For each character trait, you must find a quote in the book that proves your
character has that particular trait. Beneath each quote, write what you think the
quote reveals about your character.
a. At least one trait must be connected to your character’s heart: What is his
or her main goal in life? Write this next to his or her heart.
b. At least one trait must be connected to your character’s eyes: How does
your character see the world? Write this outside the head near the eyes.
c. At least two traits must be connected to your character’s hands: What does
your character do and how do they relate to others? Write these on your
character’s arms and hands.
d. At least two traits must be connected to your character’s head: What is
inside your character’s mind? His or her innermost thoughts and feelings?
Write these outside the brain.
e. At least two traits must be connected to your character’s feet: What lies
ahead for your character? What is his or her destiny? Write these on your
character’s legs and feet.
f. You must also include somewhere on the body at least one character trait
and quote showing how your character has changed from the beginning to
the end of the novel.
g. At least one quote from another character that shows how others perceive
your character: Write this on the body where you think it fits.
3. Take the large piece of bulletin board paper and have a classmate trace your
body onto the paper. Be sure to position your body in a way that expresses their
personality.
4. Outline the body shape with black marker.
5. Clothe your character in a way that represents his or her personality or role in the
story. Pay attention to the time period in which the book is set: this will affect the
way your character dresses.
6. Add facial features, hair, jewelry, etc. Be creative and detailed. You may draw
these features or use other materials to make the details stand out.
7. Once your project is clothed, use a fine-tipped marker to neatly transfer the
information from your graphic organizer onto your finished character. This is a
finished project for a major grade, so there should be no scratch-outs or
misspelled words.
8. You must put the character’s name, the title of the book, the author and your
name somewhere on the front of the finished product.
Life-Size Character Model Planning Sheet
Directions:
Think of 10 strong adjectives (character traits) that describe your character and write them in the boxes.
Underneath each adjective, find a quote from your book (textual evidence) that shows proof that your character has that
particular character trait. The quote will not use that exact word, but it will prove why you say your character has that trait.
Be sure to put the page number of the book on which you found that quote.
1. (Trait connected to heart)
6. (trait connected to feet)
(Quote) pg.___
(Quote) pg.___
My Analysis:
My Analysis:
2. (trait connected to eyes)
7. (trait connected to head)
(Quote) pg.___
(Quote) pg.___
My Analysis:
My Analysis:
3. (trait connected to hands)
8. (trait connected to head)
(Quote) pg.___
(Quote) pg.___
My Analysis:
My Analysis:
4. (trait connected to hands)
9. (trait showing change)
(Quote) pg.___
(Quote) pg.___
My Analysis:
My Analysis:
5. (trait connected to feet)
10. (trait based on other character)
(Quote) pg.___
(Quote) pg.___
My Analysis:
My Analysis:
Life-Size Character Model Rubric
Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
Character
Traits
I used at least 10 strong
adjectives to describe my
character.
Quotes
I found quotes from the
book to support the 10
character traits I used. I
surrounded the quotes
with quotation marks and
put an accurate page
number after each one.
Beneath each quote, I
analyzed what this
revealed about my
character.
I have clothed my
character in a way that fits
the description given by
the author and the other
characters. My character
is uniquely dressed and
fits the time period of the
book.
My final draft is free from
grammar, spelling,
capitalization and
punctuation errors.
I used eye contact, a clear,
loud voice, and took my
presentation seriously. I
added more information
during my presentation
than simply reading what I
had written.
I have followed the
directions and used my
best effort to complete
this project. There are no
scratch-outs or scribbles
on my paper. Writing is
neat and legible.
Analysis
Appearance
Proofreading
and Editing
Final
Presentation
Effort and
Neatness
Comments:
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Needs Work
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
4
3
2
1
Total Points: