Kagan

Portraits of Character are easy-to-read stories that are just a few pages long. They feature everyday heroes as well as celebrities. Each story highlights an extraordinary display of character. In this story, Karl Schreiner stops dogs from attacking a boy. After reading the story, use the Thinking Questions to have students discuss in pairs or teams. For example, “How do you think Karl felt when the dogs turned on him? How would you feel in his place?” Use the Writing Ideas to have students write and share their writing with teammates or classmates. For example, “Write a dialogue between a pit bull owner and a parent who wants the dog removed from the neighborhood. What would the two say to each other? What reasons and emotional arguments would they use?” Develop students’ character as well as thinking, reading, writing, and discussion skills as students read and reflect on this portrait of character.