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, Terry Waite risks his own safety for hostages. After reading the story, use the Thinking Questions to have students discuss in pairs or teams. For example, “Do you think Terry’s missions were valuable? Why or why not?” Use the Writing Ideas to have students write and share their writing with teammates or classmates. For example, “Imagine you have been asked to deal with hostage-takers. Write a plan telling how you would cope with these people. Tell how you would act and what you would say.” Develop students’ character as well as thinking, reading, writing, and discussion skills as students read and reflect on this portrait of character.