Description:
From FROG AND TOAD to PETE THE CAT, JUNIE B. JONES to DRAGON GIRLS, this Creative Lab will dive into what makes a successful early reader and chapter book character. This lab is best for participants ready to dip their toes into early readers and chapter books.
Skill Level:
Beginner
Prerequisites and Advanced Preparation:
Participants should come prepared with an early reader or chapter book character and a completed character chart for that individual. Character charts will be sent to participants a month before the lab. Please also bring one or more mentor texts—an early reader or chapter book where you think the characters are particularly memorable.
Schedule:
- Introduction (5 minutes)
- Identifying key character elements in early readers (10 minutes)
- Learning from Mentor Texts—Early Readers (10 minutes)
- Writing Prompt #1—Write your character into an early reader text using the provided prompt (15 minutes)
- Sharing, discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Coffee/snack/stretch/bathroom break (10 minutes)
- Identifying key elements of characters in chapter books (10 minutes)
- Learning from Mentor Texts—Chapter Books (10 minutes)
- Writing Prompt #2: Building your cast—Participants will fill out character charts for their supporting cast (15 minutes)
- Sharing, discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Quick Break (5 minutes)
- Writing Prompt #3: Plotting your series—Using what they’ve learned, participants will spend time plotting out three books featuring their developed characters (15 minutes)
- Sharing, discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Leveling Tips, Tricks, and Guidelines (15 minutes)
- Final Q&A (10 Minutes)
- Creating post-conference to-do lists (5 minutes)
Objectives:
Participants will:
- Learn the basics of what makes a successful early reader and chapter book character.
- Analyze mentor texts, with an eye toward language use, identifying repetitive themes, and establishing character.
- Develop their main early reader and chapter book characters and build out a supporting cast.
- Begin plotting their early readers and chapter books, with an eye toward building series and character continuity.
