How to Teach Reading Comprehension Strategies with Anchor Charts

As an upper elementary teacher, reading specialist, dyslexia specialist, and reading curriculum trainer and writer, I am often asked the same reading comprehension questions by teachers and parents. Here is how I respond to the same questions I often get about how to teach reading comprehension strategies.

What are reading comprehension strategies?

Reading comprehension and reading strategies are not the same. Reading comprehension is the process of making meaning from a text. Students use reading strategies to better understand, think about, and remember what they read. These strategies help students make sense of the text and deepen their understanding. Reading strategies are intentional techniques that readers use before, during, and after reading to help them understand and think deeply about the texts they read.

Using a single reading strategy is not enough to help students fully comprehend a text. Strong readers use multiple reading strategies during one reading session. They use strategies before, during, and after reading. Learning how and when to apply these strategies takes practice, but over time, students become more thoughtful and independent readers who can better understand unfamiliar words, important ideas, and the author's message.

How do you teach reading comprehension strategies?

When it comes to teaching reading comprehension strategies, students need direct instruction and repeated exposure. Direct instruction is important so students learn how to put a reading strategy into action. It is important to focus on teaching one reading strategy at a time. This will give the kids time to learn and practice the strategy.

To start off, model the reading strategy with a think-aloud so students can hear your thoughts as you practice, and show them the strategy as you read. It is equally important for students to understand how the reading strategy will help them understand the text. Using anchor chart posters is a great visual way to support students' understanding of each strategy.

Before sending students off to practice the strategy on their own, provide time for guided practice and partner practice. This gives them time to try out the strategy.

Once students have been taught, given practice, and exposed to the strategy again, they will become more confident in implementing it. As this happens, students will begin using multiple reading strategies during a single reading session. They can predict before reading, ask questions during reading, and summarize after reading. This will help them learn that reading strategies work together to strengthen comprehension of what was read. 

What are the most important reading comprehension strategies for upper elementary?

There is no one reading comprehension strategy that is more important than another. Strong readers use multiple reading strategies as they read to help them understand a text. Reading strategies can be broken into three groups: before reading, during reading, and after reading strategies.

Upper elementary students learn when to use different strategies to help them understand more complex reading texts. The reading strategies that I teach to help readers succeed include:

✓ Making Predictions

✓ Activating Prior Knowledge

✓ Making Connections

✓ Visualizing  

✓ Asking Questions

✓ Monitoring Comprehension

✓  Using Fix-Up Strategies

✓ Making Inferences

✓ Determining Importance

✓  Summarizing

✓ Synthesizing

✓ Drawing Conclusions

Using reading strategies posters and anchor charts is a great way to reinforce and review reading strategies throughout the school year. You can display them on a bulletin board and refer back to them during a read-aloud, whole-group lessons, and small-group instruction. They are a visual reminder of the strategy, when to use it, and how to put it into action.

Reading strategy posters are a tool to support students. They are helpful because they support consistent language and instruction in your classroom. Using reading strategy anchor chart posters is a great way to keep your instruction concise and consistent, while supporting students as learners and independent readers.

Try these tips to effectively use reading strategy posters in your upper elementary classroom.

1. Set Up a Reading Comprehension Bulletin Board

Setting up a reading comprehension strategy bulletin board is a great way to provide visual support and encouragement for students as they read independently. Having a display means that students do not have to fumble through their reading notebooks or folders to find the anchor chart you gave them. This saves them valuable time. They simply look at the board, find what they need, and continue reading.

2. Create Binder Ring Reference Tool

Creating a reading comprehension strategy binder-ring reference will help both you, as the teacher, and the students as they read independently. It is easy to make! Print the mini-size anchor charts. Laminate the mini posters for durability. Hole punch each poster in the left corner and then attach with a binder ring. These are perfect to have on hand during small-group instruction. I suggest making two. You can hang one on the bulletin board for students to borrow as needed, and keep one at your table during small-group work.

Speaking from experience, these binder ring tools are incredibly helpful! I love using them. I also love the writer's anchor charts for a binder ring tool during writing.

3. Shine Reading Comprehension Strategy Poster Slides

Having a digital version of the anchor charts is a must! When you want your students to practice a specific strategy or two, simply shine the anchor charts on the board so that students have that visual they need. The slides are also perfect for review.

4. Go Beyond the Anchor Charts

Using the anchor charts provides your students with consistent language and practice as they read. During small group work, support and reinforce the language on the anchor charts by asking students strategy-specific questions about their reading. These are not questions about the character, setting, or problem. Those are story elements. The questions that align with the strategies you have taught them include: What background knowledge helped you to understand the story? What predictions can you make about what will happen next? What inferences can you make about the key event in the chapter?

I like having questions like these on cards to use for any fiction or nonfiction reading material. I have a stack of one-color cards for fiction and another stack of a different color for nonfiction. Having the anchor charts and question cards ready for any reading material reduces prep time for small-group instruction and makes it easier to maintain focus with your group.

Grab free reading activities designed to support reading comprehension strategies:

Whether you are just getting started with teaching reading comprehension strategies or have been teaching for years, bring reading comprehension strategy posters, anchor charts, and question cards into your classroom. They will not only support your students but also provide ready-to-go materials for your instruction and small literacy groups.

Happy teaching! : )

You will also love reading:

Types of Writing Genres Bulletin Board Ideas

Must Try Vocabulary Tips and Routine

The First Day of School in Upper Elementary

Teaching Text Structure in Upper Elementary

                Check out my favorite reading activities HERE. 

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*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

Text Structure Mentor Text Picture Books Upper Elementary

Teaching our students to differentiate between different text structures helps them better understand the nonfiction passages and materials they read, identify any bias in the texts they read, and determine the author's purpose.

One simple way to bring a variety of text structures into your classroom to kick off a text structure unit or to accompany your unit is to read and use picture books as text structure mentor texts. I love using picture books as text structure mentor texts because they provide the perfect visual for students for each text structure, and they are easy to refer back to throughout the unit...and all year long!

Just getting started with text structure?

Text structure refers to how the content of a nonfiction reading passage or book is organized. Understanding the different text structures helps our students focus on important ideas, find the main idea, infer, and monitor comprehension. 

Five nonfiction text structures to practice with students...

• cause and effect
• sequence
• description
• compare and contrast
• problem and solution

I have compiled my favorite picture books to use when teaching text structure to upper elementary students. Check this list out, add them to your text structure lesson plans, and watch your students' understanding skyrocket!

👉Don't miss out on the FREE text structure starter kit at the bottom of this post!

Teaching Text Structure: A Simple Routine for Upper Elementary

As upper elementary teachers, we are always looking for ways to help our students increase their reading comprehension skills, especially when it comes to reading nonfiction informational texts. We can help our students better understand the nonfiction passages and materials they read by helping them understand and differentiate between different text structures. 

👉 5 Text Structures Upper Elementary Students Face as Readers:

• cause and effect
• sequence
• description
• compare and contrast
• problem and solution

Text structure refers to how content in a text is organized to help readers understand the content they are reading. Understanding the five different text structures helps readers dive deep into the text to understand important ideas, identify the main idea, infer, and monitor comprehension.

Research tells us that understanding text structure is a guiding force for comprehension and guides students in understanding how the information is laid out, ultimately understanding the purpose of the piece. Teaching students how to differentiate between text structures empowers them with the tools to comprehend, analyze, and communicate the information they are reading effectively. It also helps them identify bias as they read more complex nonfiction texts.

How to teach text structure to upper elementary students...

1. Explain, Teach, and Give Visuals

When it comes to getting started, be sure to explain these three things: why each text structure is used, keywords that help identify each text structure, and showing/modeling with coordinating text structure graphic organizers. Spend time explaining the differences between each text structure. Create anchor charts that show these three pieces of information. Grab a free ancho chart at the bottom of this post to get started!

👉 Read more about teaching text structure and tips HERE.

2. Read a Picture Book to Bring Text Structure to Life

A great way to show students different text structures is to read different picture books, at least one from each text structure. This is a great way to bring in a visual and a real-world connection to this tricky concept. Don't worry; you do not have to scour the internet to find the best text structure picture books for upper elementary, I already have a list made for you broken down by text structure!

👉 Read about my favorite text structure picture books HERE.

3. Get Into a Routine

Provide students multiple opportunities and exposure to different text structures to help them build their comprehension toolbox for nonfiction texts. One way you can do that is through daily practice. I have created a daily routine that provides students with many opportunities to read a variety of informational topics written in different text structures. It is simple to use and of high interest to students! Plus it goes beyond just practicing text structure, it also provides vocabulary, critical thinking, and written response practice.

By reading and working with all five text structures on the same topic, students can identify the different characteristics of each structure more simply. This format takes a tricky concept and makes it manageable for our students, especially when they are just learning about text structures.

This routine uses the Text Structure Comprehension Foldables. Simply print back to back and fold. Everything you need to teach and practice text structure daily is included.

Take a look at how to use these foldables to teach text structure for upper elementary students!

Try this schedule to add to your morning work routine to provide daily opportunities for your students to engage with different text structures.

If completing these text structure activities each morning is not an option, you can add these Text Structure Foldables to a center, use them during small group instruction, or sprinkle them into any time you have. Since these packs have five different passages in five different text structures, all on the same topic, students can truly differentiate between the different structures. 

Get started with teaching text structure with this FREE text structure starter kit!

The more time students spend reflecting on the text structure of nonfiction reading materials, the more they can identify the text structure in their own independent and real-world reading. By understanding the text structure, students are better able to pull out the important information, make inferences, and understand the topic at a deeper level. So why not give this routine a try today!? 

You will also love to read:

Using Reading Strategies to Help Readers Grow

Teaching Students Summarize

Quick Tip to Differentiate Summarizing Instruction 

Must Try Inferencing Lesson for Upper Elementary

Check out these Text Structure activities HERE. 

Like these Text Structure Foldables to just add to your daily routine!

LOVE these ideas? Pin to save!

 

*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

Teaching Text Structure Upper Elementary

When it comes to reading nonfiction material, students can never get enough practice! While many students enjoy reading nonfiction and informational articles, they often focus on the cool or new facts they learn. While that is a great way to get students engaged and excited to read nonfiction, we must ensure our upper elementary students are diving deep into the structure of informational text to help build their comprehension skills.

What is Text Structure?

Text structures refer to the way authors organize information in a text. Mastery of these structures allows students to comprehend and analyze nonfiction texts more effectively and deeply. The five key text structures our upper elementary students face are cause and effect, description, sequence, compare and contrast, and problem-solution.

Understanding text structures matters! Research shows that understanding text structure is a guiding force for comprehension. According to findings from educational psychologists (e.g., Pressley & Afflerbach, 1995), explicit instruction on text structure significantly enhances students' ability to grasp the relationships between ideas and the overall comprehension of the text. It is like providing students with a roadmap showing them the way to understand the nonfiction text that they are reading.

Why Teach Text Structure?

There are so many benefits that come along with understanding text structure as readers. When you engage your students in nonfiction studies focused on understanding text structure, you will see...

✅Enhanced comprehension - Understanding text structures helps students make sense of information by recognizing patterns and relationships between ideas.

✅Improved critical thinking -  Analyzing different text structures encourages critical thinking as students learn to evaluate and compare information in various ways.

✅ Increase in communication skills - Mastery of text structures supports students in expressing ideas clearly, both in writing and verbal communication.

✅ Sharpened skills for success -  Proficiency in text structure is a foundational skill that prepares students for more complex reading and writing tasks in higher grades.

✅ Real-world Application -  Recognizing text structures is not just an academic skill; it is a practical skill that students will use in different aspects of their lives, from reading news articles to understanding procedural manuals.

How to Teach Text Structure

Teaching nonfiction text structures is an important step in developing strong reading comprehension skills in upper elementary students. Try these go-to ideas for teaching text structure in your upper elementary classroom!

1.  Teach Each Text Structure in Isolation

Use anchor charts and a slideshow to help teach this tricky concept! Begin by introducing each text structure separately. This ensures that students grasp the unique characteristics of each before moving on to more complex tasks and critical thinking about text s. Three things to make sure that you include in your anchor charts and introductions are:

✅Why each text structure is used

✅ Keywords that signal each text structure

✅ A visual {graphic organizer} to connect to each text structure

 

Grab the FREE Text Structure Starter Kit right here!

💡Teacher tip: Use pre-written passages on the same topic, each with a different text structure! I love to use these that are focused on natural disasters!

The passages hold the students' attention and clearly show how each text structure differs. I use a slide show to share the passages, and students determine which text structure it is. Once we agree, we head to the next slide to find the answer reveal and work together to prove it by completing the graphic organizer on the next slide.

I love that this slideshow not only helps my teaching and introduction of text structures but is also a great tool to refer back to throughout the year and before testing season begins!

2. Utilize Graphic Organizers as Readers and Writers

Using visual aids like graphic organizers is a great way to help students organize information and visually differentiate between the different text structures. These tools provide a clear visual representation of how information is structured in a text and helps them collect important information. When students complete the graphic organizer about a specific text, they are collecting information that will help them prove which text structure they are reading. Doing this helps them better communicate with others about their reading and convey the author's purpose and message.

3. Read Multiple Texts on the Same Topic

To deepen understanding, have students read five short texts on the same topic, each utilizing a different text structure. This activity enables them to compare and contrast how information is presented and identify the distinctive features of each structure. Students will collect a lot of information about one topic and show students that the longer informational books and passages they read can have more than one text structure within them.

💡Teacher Tip: Go one step further and have students respond to a prompt and write about what they learned about the given topic to synthesize their learning!

4. Real-World Sorting Activity

This is a fun way to kick off a text structure unit or wrap one up! 

Encourage students to collect reading materials from the real world, such as newspaper articles, brochures, directions, ads, informational pamphlets, and really anything! I always have a stash ready to show students how to sort the reading material. I use hula hoops to sort each text structure, but you can use chart paper or just a table to group the reading materials. The concept is simple, just label each hula hoop with each text structure. Then, share reading material like directions to a game. Have students decide which text structure it was written in through discussion and debate. Then, select a student to put the directions read into the matching hula hoop! This hands-on activity connects classroom learning with real-world reading, and the kids love it!

 

5. Create Collaborative Projects

Foster collaborative learning by assigning projects where students work together to create a presentation or report using a specific text structure. This not only reinforces individual understanding but also promotes teamwork and communication skills. We have done collaborative class projects for text structure on one topic, such as Earth Day. Each group was assigned a text structure. Then, they worked together to develop a presentation for the class on an Earth Day-related topic in the assigned structure. 

Here is what the kids came up with: 

• Compare and Contrast: Solar Energy VS Electricity
• Sequence Order: The Process of Recycling
• Description: Enjoy Visiting a National Park on Earth Day
• Problem and Solution: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Cause and Effect: Save the Mountain Gorillas from Extinction

Teaching nonfiction text structures is a fundamental step in developing strong reading and comprehension skills in upper elementary students. By focusing on cause and effect, description, sequence, compare and contrast, and problem-solution structures, we can help strengthen our students' understanding of informational texts. Implementing these tips will make the learning process engaging and empower students with essential skills for academic and real-world success. Plus, research shows that understanding text structure helps students succeed as readers of nonfiction texts, so get started with some of these ideas today!

You will also love to read:

What are Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies?

Using Reading Strategies to Help Readers Grow

Nonfiction Teaching Ideas and Strategies to Hook Upper Elementary Readers

Must Try Inferencing Lesson for Upper Elementary

Check out my favorite Text Structure activities HERE. 

Like these Text Structure Foldables to just add to your daily routine!

LOVE these ideas? Pin to save!

 

*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

7 Interactive Read Aloud Tips for Success with Upper Elementary

Thinking about getting started with interactive read alouds in your classroom? They are a must! Interactive read-alouds are a valuable way for teachers to engage students in meaningful discussions and promote comprehension skills.

So what is an interactive read-aloud?

An interactive read-aloud is a dynamic and purposeful reading activity that engages students in high-quality literature. During an interactive read-aloud, the students are actively involved in the reading process. This approach goes beyond a simple read-aloud; it encourages students to think critically, ask questions, make connections, and discuss the content. Pausing at strategic points to pose discussion questions, explore vocabulary, and model reading comprehension strategies is an important part of the interactive read-aloud experience. 

I love using interactive read-alouds because they promote a deeper understanding of the text, provide models for students to engage with their own texts as they independently read, and foster a love of reading. 

Want to get started using interactive read-alouds in YOUR upper elementary classroom? These seven must-try tips will help you get started!

1. Choose Age-Appropriate and Engaging Text

This first step is so important! Be sure to select books or texts that are appropriate for your students' age and reading level and captivating and relevant to their interests. Engaging texts are more likely to hold their attention and spark meaningful discussions.

Picture Books and chapter books both make amazing interactive read-alouds for students. You can select fiction, nonfiction, and even poetry picture books. Since picture books are much shorter than chapter books, they are my go-to. 

Not sure where to find appropriate picture books for upper elementary? I have some lists of favorites that you and your students will love!

• Mentor Texts to Use for Both Reading and Writing
• Favorite Picture Books for Upper Elementary
• 8 Biography Picture Books 
• 7 Must-Read Picture Books for Teaching Inferring

 ➡️Rather start interactive read alouds with a chapter book? These chapter books are always class favorites!

2. Use the Voices and Make the Sound Effects

The best part about the read alouds are different voices and sound effects that you can use to not only hook students, but to show them what fluent reading sounds like! I love to have a box of props next to my read aloud chair that I can use to help me as I read. Items I include are bells, clapping hands, and a rain shaker or shaker filled with rice. But, you do not need anything fancy! Just your voice, hands, and feet do the trick to bringing the read aloud to life. And yes, if there are silly voices and singing going on in the story, do them! You will make your students smile and love reading.

3. Revisit the Book Again and Again

Yes, I am going to say it again! Picture books should be read again and again and again!

We read picture books in my classroom multiple times, each time with a different purpose. It does NOT get boring. The kids know we are rereading it with a different lens each time, so their thoughts and discussions change. Plus, since they already know the story, their reflections are more meaningful and are often filled with connections.

When you reread previously read picture books, you help students:

• focus on the skill or objective of your read aloud lesson instead of trying to comprehend a new story AND master a new skill
• understand that good readers reread books and texts over and over to learn something new, better understand what was read, or just for enjoyment
• build confidence in their reading comprehension and retell/summarizing skills

➡️See how I use one read-aloud picture book in many different ways right HERE.

👉 Grab this FREE guide with my favorite picture books for interactive read- alouds! 

It includes several different topics that you can use for each book, allowing you to read and re-read each book over and over again.

4. Plan Ahead and Annotate the Text

Before the read-aloud, read the text in advance and annotate it with key points, questions, and discussion prompts. This will help you guide the conversation and highlight important themes, vocabulary, or literary devices that you want to focus on.

Prior to reading aloud, I also create an interactive anchor chart that will be used during the reading. I do not always do this for all read-alouds. However, I have the chart ready to go for more challenging concepts that I will bring up and teach during and after the read-aloud. This works perfectly for topics like making predictions, making inferences, and understanding character traits.

When annotating or prepping questions ahead of time, I make sure to have questions for each level of Bloom's taxonomy. Using sticky notes is a great way to do this! Especially because you can use those sticky notes again by leaving them on the pages, ready to go for next year!

5. Encourage Active Participation

Using interactive read-alouds helps you to foster an interactive atmosphere by encouraging students to participate actively. As you read, frequently stop and ask the predetermined open-ended questions, ask for predictions, and invite students to share their thoughts, feelings, and connections to the text. Use prompts like, What do you think will happen next? or How would you have reacted in this situation?

Giving students a specific read-aloud buddy or partner sets up the expectation of who they will be speaking to during the read-aloud. As time goes on, students build trust and relationships with their read-aloud buddies, making their conversations deeper and more meaningful.

Keep the conversation going between your students and their partners by creating an accountability bulletin board that provides appropriate discussion stems that can be used for any read-aloud! These work wonders in my classroom and truly help my students discuss literature in meaningful ways. 

6. Model Comprehension Strategies

While reading, model effective comprehension strategies such as making predictions, visualizing, making inferences, and asking questions. Show students how skilled readers think critically about the text and how these strategies enhance understanding. The more you show them, the more they will carry out those strategies as they read independently. 

7. Build Classroom Community

The best part of using interactive read alouds in your classroom is that it builds classroom community! 

Kids, even our big kids, love to gather as a class and get cozy listening to the soothing sounds of their teacher reading aloud. Use your read-aloud time as a way to remind, practice, and instill the idea that your classroom is a safe and respectful space where students should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers and that listening to and respecting others' viewpoints is essential during the discussion.  Reading aloud to the whole class provides a sense of togetherness and allows true community bonding to take place!

Incorporating interactive read-alouds in upper elementary classrooms can transform reading sessions into thought provoking and enjoyable learning experiences, enhancing both literacy skills and a love for reading. While these tips will get you started, remember to tailor your approach to your students' specific needs and interests while keeping the conversation lively and engaging.

Looking for more read-aloud companions?
Look HERE!

You will love reading these related articles:

The Benefits of Using One Book Many Ways

3 Ways to Use the Book Those Darn Squirrels

Picture Books for Teaching Inferring

Mentor Text for Opinion Writing

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affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

12 Picture Books to Teach Character Understanding Analysis and Traits

When it comes to diving deep into analyzing characters, I found the best way to get started is with picture books! 

Reading a variety of picture books gives students a chance to meet a wide range of characters with a variety of different character traits and emotions. Picture books also serve as a visual support of character traits, emotions, showing us how characters often change throughout stories. Character illustrations also help students analyze characters and differentiate between inside and outside character traits.

I love using previously read picture books to help us dive into character understanding. When you use previously read books, students can focus on the character since the story was already discussed and digested. As the character unit continues, we begin to read new stories and chapter books analyzing the new characters that we meet.

Over the years I have found that the following picture books work best when it comes to analyzing characters. The characters in these books give students a lot to think about as they read. Here are my favorites for character understanding with upper elementary students.

Read about my best tips for helping students analyze characters HERE.

1. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon 

This book is the best picture book to introduce students to the terms inside and outside character traits. (or internal or external traits) This story follows the main character Camilla Cream. On the inside she loves lima beans, but on the outside she does not act like she likes them. Because she keeps her true self a secret, her outside traits change each day. This is a fun read with a strong author's message to be yourself. It works perfectly for introducing character traits to your students.

Grab the free character analysis starter kit at the bottom of this post.

2. Brave Irene by William Steig 

I love this story! This story is a great read-aloud to discuss character traits and emotions. The main character, Irene, is brave, and the author gives many supporting details to help students agree that she is brave. But Irene also has many feelings and emotions throughout the story. From feeling helpful to feeling frustrated, she has felt them all. Your students will cheer Irene on as they listen to this story. With all the supporting details in the story, this one is a great read aloud to also practice written responses about character traits and supporting text evidence.

3. The Raft by Jim LaMarche 

This is one of my favorite picture books! I love using this one for understanding theme, end of the year read alouds and of course character understanding. This one is perfect for your lesson on changing characters. The main character in the story is mad when he finds out that he has to spend the entire summer with his grandmother at her cabin without technology. But by the time the summer ends, he has definitely changed. Create a class three column T-chart to use during a read aloud of this book to keep track of the character's traits and feelings at the beginning, during the middle, and then at the end. This will help students identify how the character has changed.

4. Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin, Jr

I love this book, and so do the kids. The ending always surprises them when they find out the main character is blind. Rereading it a second time, knowing that he is blind, helps us to dive deep into character analysis. This one is also perfect for building vocabulary, using context clues, and inferring as readers.

Grab the free character analysis starter kit at the bottom of this post.

5. A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams

This is a popular book with a simple yet powerful story! This book follows a family of women who lose everything they own and their home in a fire. Throughout the book, we learn about the characters' determination, caring and loving attitude toward each other, and helpful neighbors who all pitch in to help. There are so many great character traits and emotions to address with this one book!

6. The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco

So many of Patricia Polacco's books are just perfect for character analysis, especially this one! This is a longer story that you should read over a few days. Doing so will give you the opportunity to revisit the text to discuss the main character and her character traits and emotions. This story follows Trisha who attends a new school and becomes called "the junkyard" a name designed to tease and mock her. Once she meets her teacher, things begin to change. Keep track of the Trish and her teacher's character traits, discussing each one and discovering how they both change. This is also a great book to lead to discussions about main characters and secondary characters.

7. Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora

This one is a new favorite for me! While this one has a gratitude theme and is often read around Thanksgiving, it is also perfect to revisit for character analysis. This book follows the day of Omu who spends the afternoon cooking. She can not help but share all of her soup with her community, leaving none for herself. Her selfless act inspires the community to help her in return. So much goodness and positivity in this book that you will want to read it again and again!

8. Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich 

While this story can be read any time of the year, it is a great pair with Valentine's Day because of the nature of a loving cactus who wants a hug. Hank, the main character, is a cactus that no one wants to hug. As the story goes on, Hank begins to change from being a loner to wanting a friend and companion. This story is great for learning about how and why characters change. The illustrations support Hank's feelings and emotions throughout the book, making it great for visual and auditory learners.

9. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson 

This classic teacher favorite is perfect for teaching your students to predict and analyze how a character responds to a problem. This book follows the main character (not named) who begins to feel jealous when a new boy moves into town. the main character experiences different feelings and emotions, chats about them with his dad, and ends up changing by the last page. The kids LOVE this one and it is so easy to relate to. You can read and reread this book for different lessons including plot, climax, story structure, and making predictions.

10. CHAPTER BOOK Suggestion: Ramona Quimby, Age 8

If you are looking for a chapter book, perfect to discuss character traits and emotions, try Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary. Each chapter is filled with antics and fun to help the reader get to truly get to know the main character, Ramona. A fun activity to go along with a read aloud of this book, is to have the kids keep a journal as Ramona. It is a great way for the kids to have to figure out how the character is feeling and then write from her perspective. 

Grab the FREE Character Analysis Starter Kit!

Need even more picture book suggestions? Try one of these:

• 11. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
• 12. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
• 13. Boundless Grace by Mary Hoffman
• 14. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood

Before you begin your next character study grab a stack of picture books with interesting characters to help you dive deep into character analysis. Use a mix of previously read books and some new books, too! The groundwork you lay for character analysis with picture books will help your students carefully reflect and think about the characters that they meet in the books that they read.

 You will also love reading:

9 Picture Books to Help Teach Grammar

A Simple Way to Teach Inferring

7 Picture Books to Teach Inferring

7 Picture Books to Celebrate Reading

          Check out my favorite character activities HERE.

                               LOVE these ideas? Pin to save!

*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)