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Character traits organizer (free printable)

Four rows, each pairing a trait with the evidence from the story that shows it, and a page number. Name the character, edit the labels and print.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
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Character Traits, page 1Character TraitsBook: ______________________________NameDateCharacter:Trait 1What the character said or didPage ____Trait 2What the character said or didPage ____Trait 3What the character said or didPage ____Trait 4What the character said or didPage ____Free at teach.peabody.kids

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

Saying that a character is brave is easy. Showing it, with a line from the story, is the skill. This organizer is built around the second half. Each row has a trait on the left, an arrow, and a larger box on the right for what the character said or did, with a place for the page. A student who fills it in has to go back into the text for proof. The character's name goes at the top. Edit the labels to ask for a different kind of evidence, such as What the character thinks, or What others say about them. It works for any story, and it builds the habit of citing the text that carries into every subject.

Grades: 2 to 8. Best in: September, October, November, January.

How to use it

  1. Write the character's name on the line at the top. Edit the column labels if you want a different kind of evidence.
  2. Students choose a trait in each row, and write one or two pieces of evidence from the story, with the page number.
  3. Share the results in pairs: one student reads a trait, and the other tries to name the evidence before it is read.

Five ideas for class

  1. Give students a list of trait words to choose from at first, including words beyond nice and mean, such as stubborn, generous and curious.
  2. Have students fill in the chart twice during a novel, near the start and near the end, and discuss how the character changed.
  3. Ask which trait is the strongest in the book and have students argue for it using their evidence in a short paragraph.
  4. Use two organizers for two characters, then put them next to a Venn diagram to compare them.
  5. Let students act out a trait, so the class guesses it from behavior alone. It is a quick way to show that traits are shown, not told.

Related

Questions

What is the difference between a trait and a feeling?

A feeling changes (she was nervous); a trait is how the character usually is (she is careful). A good lesson uses both and asks students to tell them apart.

Can I use it for a nonfiction person?

Yes. Use it for a biography, with traits of a historical figure and evidence from the text about what they did.

Does it have to be four rows?

Four is the layout that fits the page. Students who need only two can leave the rest blank, and fast finishers can add a fifth in the margin.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

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