Understanding Characterization (Grade 8): Introduction

In this lesson, students examine characters from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens to learn how authors create characters and to apply this understanding to create characters of their own.

The lesson applies UDL principles in the use of digital text and audio to help students

• Articulate their understanding of a particular character
• Identify how the author created that character
• Verify their ideas by changing key segments to reshape the character
• Create their own character using the same technique
• Reflect on their understanding throughout

The UDL approach is based on apprenticeship learning and makes use of digital media’s flexibility to enable students to learn about communication techniques through changing existing characters and creating new ones.