Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Taking notes on at least five of the characters who interest them.

Objective: Students will experience the gauges by which we judge people and develop assumptions about their lives.

Activity: Around the room will be placed a large number of black and white 8x10 photographs of people who are unknown to the students. The people pictured are all ages, ethnic groups, etc. Students will be asked to move around the room looking at each photograph and taking notes on at least five of the characters who interest them. They are not to talk about what they are seeing or thinking about the character. The photographs are number. Students will write down the numbers of their five favorite characters. Based on these choices, students will be given one picture with which to work further.
Each student is to develop a character based on the picture. The students will being by listing characteristics and ideas and will add details. They will consider what colors the clothing, skin, color and eyes will be, what the economic situation is, what is happening in the person’s like at the present, and what has happened to the person in the past, what the person’s name is, what his/her job is, and what the dominant physical characteristics reveal about he character. They will try to think of some element of this character which will make him/her unique instead of stereotypical. Students will try to hear the character’s voice and think about what kind of words the character would use and if the character has some kind of accent. They will try to see the character move and will consider his/her posture, mannerisms, and physical habits. Finally, they will plan to “be” the character.
In preparation for this task, the students will join in groups of four to do some brainstorming about their characters. They might ask for “clues” to the person or ask questions about the character; they might offer suggestions for “props”. The character developer could practice answering those questions as his/her character would. During this time, the students will continue developing their character, jotting down new idea, phrases or words that they might utilize.

Assessment: Student’s ability to reveal character through a variety of devices