Teach-Reading-and-Writing-Issue-21

46 | www.teachwire.net R ole on the Wall is a versatile technique that can be used across a variety of subjects, including English, drama, history, science, and PSHE, to help pupils explore a character. Pupils engage in character analysis, empathy, and critical thinking, and the technique can also help them with naming feelings, values, and character traits. The interactive and visual nature of Role on the Wall increases pupil engagement and participation, and there are many different ways to explore characters with it. I’ve offered a few variations of the technique here, but feel free to get even more creative with your pupils as you study the complexity of human nature together! When to use it Role on the Wall is an excellent technique to use if the class are reading a book together – deepening their connection to the book and its characters. It’s a great way to analyse protagonists, You can use this simple technique in a variety of ways to explore and develop characters with your class, says Samantha Marsden Role on THE WALL or antagonists, in novels, by mapping their complexities, while aiding in discussions about character development and motivations. When it comes to creative writing, Role on the Wall is useful for helping children originate and develop fictional characters. Pupils can flesh out the characters before they start their stories, which can give them the confidence boost they need to get writing. The children might find it helpful to create three or four characters in this way before beginning their stories. This technique can also be used to explore historical or contemporary figures, for example, famous scientists, musicians, Nobel prize winners or environmentalists. It can be a really interesting and creative way to explore character and external societal pressures. Make sure you provide the children with plenty of background information and historical context for the person they are going to analyse. Preparation & introduction Select a character relevant to your lesson. This activity can be done as a class collaboration, or individually, with each child creating their own Role on the Wall. For a class collaboration, draw or print the outline of a human figure on a large piece of paper, or on a board. For individual participation give each pupil a piece of paper. This could have the template of the outline of a person, or you can ask them to draw the outline of the character. Pupils may already know about the character from a book or topic you’re studying together. But if not, be sure to give them enough information to create a well-rounded profile. Annotation Inside the outline of the person, pupils write the character’s inner characteristics, emotions, values, desires, and internal conflicts. They can do this with pens, or you might like to use sticky notes. Outside the outline of the person, the children write external factors such as where they live, their likes, and how they show themselves to the outside world. The BFG Joyful Unconventional Lives in giant country Vegetarian Protective Fun Childlike Speaks gobblefunk Muddled up Likes snozzcumbers Dream catcher Brave Dyslexic Friendly Loyal Ethical Parental Imaginative Benevolent Compassionate Loving Kind Afraid Insecure Lonely Fern Saves Wilbur Takes good car of the pig She prioritises spending time with and taking care of the animals Loyal Ethical Persuasive Determined Compassionate Loving Empathetic Fair Afraid Questions he to save Wilbu "If I had be small at birt you have kil Persuades to keep