Character bag

The teacher uses a character bag to introduce a character. Students develop the character through discussion, mime and role-on-the-wall exercises. The students work on their own, in pairs, and then as part of a whole class discussion.

Objectives

• To build an understanding of character and identity through the use of symbols.
• To introduce the characters and the situation.

Starter

For this activity, students work on their own for a mimed exercise. Read the following text to the students. You may wish to present it on an OHP/digital projector:

Secret annexe: Character bag

Students should mime what goes into their bag (the objects are also mimed). After the exercise, organise the class into pairs. Students should share each packed bag with their partner. Use the following questions to clarify what they have chosen to pack for their character:

What have you packed? What do these things say about you as a person? What do they say about your background? Which items have personal significance?

The teacher should circulate to assist students in asking/answering the questions.

What are you feeling? What do you want to take? How will you show each item clearly?

Response

Introduce the idea of a character bag. You need to show that this suitcase belongs to a young Jewish boy. He is going into hiding before the Nazis arrive to take his family away. The bag should contain:

• a yellow star
• a boy’s clothes
• a tatty story book which reflects a much-loved story.

Describe the items in the bag so that students can understand the significance of each item and what it might say about the character. Then ask students to take one item from the character bag in front of the class and do the same. You could ask the rest of the class to watch this and guess the object they are trying to mime.

Which item will you take from the bag? What significance does it have?

Development

Draw an outline of the boy (named Peter) who owns the suitcase on a piece of paper, or use the following handout, enlarged to A3:

Secret annexe: Outline

The class should add observations about the boy onto this outline: practical information (eg there is a war, he is trying to hide, etc) on the outside of the lines, and personal observations (eg he is scared and does not understand) on the inside of the outline.

From looking at the suitcase, do you have an idea of the boy’s personality? Do you have an idea of the situation he is in?

Plenary

Set up a whole class discussion on the work in the lesson.

How effective has this lesson been in developing character? What have you learnt about the situation? What have you discovered about your own focus and concentration?

Homework

Ask students to complete the following sheet for the character of Peter:

Secret annexe: Role-on-the-wall

Alternatively, ask students to research Anne Frank, specifically looking at what happened once she was in the secret annexe. They should complete the following handout with their findings:

Secret annexe: Researching Anne Frank