Craft Lesson: Minn and Jake

TEKS
(H) analyze characters, including their traits, motivations, conflicts, points of view, relationships, and changes they undergo (4-8);

Discussion
I think that most children can relate with the characters in Minn and Jake. The friendship they share and the events that shape their relationship are totally credible to children. Children may not be aware of their relationships and how important it is, whether it is their family or a friend. Children need to be made conscious of their social development.

How To Teach It
I would ask the children to read the book but not write any papers or present any material. I would ask them questions about the relationship of Minn and Jake, and then have them relate it personally. As the class is reading their book I would like to have them create a journal and update regularly with their own thoughts about the book. I would also like for them to mix their own experiences in, so they can compare with the book. They would turn in their journal. The point of the journal is to try and get them to analyze characters, traits, relationships, and motivations, but not by purpose. It will happen by trying to relate themselves to the characters in the book. When a person reads a book for fun, they do not intentionally analyze the book, but they think to themselves and compare to their own experiences. That is what I want to accomplish in this assignment.