Character Trait/

Definition Poem
Goal 1: Choose character traits that appropriately describe your
character
Goal 2: Choose traits that are new words for you.
Goal 3: Choose traits that you think would be valuable words for the class
to learn.
Goal 4: Write your own vocabulary poem on the final slide to showcase
those traits using Kwame Alexander’s formula (below).

Kwame Alexander’s Formula

Look carefully at the pages where the Mr. Alexander introduces new vocabulary. The
word is shown in syllables, with a pronunciation guide, the part of speech is indicated,
and the poem provides a definition along with examples of the meaning of the word.
For example, the author would use the term “as in”.
 Character Traits
Use THIS SITE to find character traits. Remember - go beyond words
that you know. Use this as an opportunity to extend and experiment
with new language. Make these words your own AND make them
available to classmates through a poem.
Different character DEFINITION Teammate in charge of each
traits (you may need trait
to add rows
depending on your
group size)

Trait 1 Bashful Easily embarrassed, Melina

shy, timid.

Trait 2 Infuriated Very angry. Jordan

Trait 3 Assertive Having or showing a Bryce

confident and forceful
personality.

Trait 4 Romantic A feeling of excitement Maya

and mystery associated
with love.
IN.FU.RI.ATE make (someone)
extremely angry
/inˈfyo͞orēˌāt/ and impatient.
Why'd he have to?

He passed it so hard

I had a bloody nose.

He's my brother;

I don't understand.

I was so infuriated

I didn’t talk to him for weeks

He threw it so hard, so fast.

Quick and slick out of his hands

Right into my nose.

 Bash·ful
/baSHfəl/
reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
As in: If I had not been so bashful like bashful (From Snow White)
when he blushes, I could've talked to Miss Sweet Tea on the phone
myself instead of Josh.

As in: My swaggy walk forces me have to make a move first, instead

of being bashful around her.

As in: If I hadn’t had such an overly confident personality, maybe I

wouldn’t of been so bashful to ask Alexa out.

As in: My life is a highway, full of ups and downs filled with different
emotions I experience.
As·ser·tive
/əˈsərdiv/
Having or showing a confident
and forceful personality.

As in: If I had not taken the sweet tea from Alexa and started a
relationship I would not be as assertive.

As in: If I had stopped practicing basketball and started to miss my free

throws like LeBron James in the first quarter of the Cleveland's game
against the rockets I would not be as assertive.

As in: If I had stepped down my game instead of stepping it up I would not

be as assertive.

As in: Me doing all these things has caused me to be assertive.

As in: If Josh had done these things as opposed to me doing them then
he would understand because he would start acting assertive.
She texts me

4 O’Clock. RO.MAN.TIC
I didn’t know what to do …

Dazzled. Speechless. Unable to think of what to say. /rōˈman(t)ik/

I pass the phone to Josh, and tell him to respond to her.

He types with me being unaware and clueless of what he types.

conducive to or
characterized by the
expression of love.
I hear the notifications.

Send, Receive - Send, Receive.

My heart almost beats so fast it dives out of my chest.

I look at Josh and he chuckles under his breath, “pulchritudinous”.

I didn’t understand.

He hands me the phone.

I read that me and Miss sweet tea are official.

I blush so much I’m as red as a beet.

My eyes are gargantuan.

And my smile goes for a mile.

I felt a romantic rush goes straight to my heart.

Rubric
Exceeds Meets Approaches

grammar (S1) Poem uses correct English conventions

such as capitalization and end
punctuation.

Spelling (S1) You spelled even the Correct spelling; it is obvious the
biggest words correctly! student made use of technology to
assist with this skill.

word choice (S2) I love that you used Strong, specific nouns and verbs.
“pulchritudinous” and Includes a useful similes/metaphor to
“gargantuan.” Great, big solidify understanding and provide
words!! further explanation.

flow/organization Great line breaks and Poem has a flow to it. One idea leads
(S2) rhythm! naturally into the next. Follows the
format similar to the author’s.

so-what? (S2) The whole poem The poem successfully conveys the
showcases romance from meaning of the word to the audience
the excitement of
receiving a text, the
nervousness associated
with it, and the ending
realization of what has
happened.

Details (S3) You captured one scene, There are sufficient and well-chosen
but that one scene is details that provide information
brimming with all the needed to showcase the character trait.
details and specifics! Poem conveys why this character trait
was chosen.