Teaching Character Traits with Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone
You know, sometimes I feel like I’m talking to a wall when I try to explain something as abstract as “character traits.” You throw out words like “resilient” or “compassionate” and you can just see their eyes glaze over. But then… you mention Hermione… and suddenly, they’re on fire.
The truth is, using something kids are literally reading right now is the easiest way to make a concept stick. And if your class is deep into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you have an INCREDIBLE opportunity. Here are a few ways I’ve found to make teaching character traits not just effective, but actually FUN, by tying them directly to what’s happening in the book.
1. The “Would They?” Character Challenge
I love this one because it forces kids to think like a character. It’s a simple premise: give them a crazy, hypothetical situation from the book and ask them to predict how a character would respond. For example: “Would Hermione go back for Ron after he gets knocked out by the chess piece? Why or why not?” or “Would Harry cheat on his first Quidditch match to beat Slytherin?” They can’t just guess; they have to justify their reasoning with evidence from the chapters you’ve already read. It’s a low-key way to start some really GREAT class discussions.
2. Character Trait Sorting with a Magical Twist
This is a great bell-ringer or quick check for understanding. Just make a list of traits—think brave, loyal, ambitious, cunning, insecure—on a sheet of paper. Then, have them sort those traits under the names of characters: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, even Voldemort. It’s a simple, hands-on way for them to connect the abstract word to a tangible person they already know everything about. It’s a low-effort, high-impact activity.
3. A Hogwarts Gallery Walk
I used this for my last unit and it was a HIT. You can set up different stations for each character. On the station cards, include a picture and a brief description of a pivotal moment or key characteristic from the book. As students move around the room, they have to figure out what traits they can INFER from the evidence you’ve provided. It gets them up and moving and really makes the learning stick. For a ready-to-go resource, check out this Harry Potter & Sorcerer’s Stone Character Traits Gallery Walk. It’s an interactive, no-prep activity with 12 characters that works perfectly as an introduction to the characters or a review after you’ve finished the book.
4. Journaling from a Character’s Perspective
This is one of my go-to writing activities. Ask students to write a short journal entry from a character’s point of view. A diary entry from Ron on the day he met Harry, maybe? Or one from Hermione the night before their first exam. This activity is so valuable because it forces them to show a character’s traits through their thoughts and feelings, rather than just telling you what they are. It’s a low-pressure way to hit those writing standards.
5. The “What’s in My Bag?” Project
This project always makes for a GREAT classroom display. Have students choose a character and then draw a bag, filling it with objects that symbolize that person’s traits. For Hermione, they might draw a stack of books (intelligent), a Time-Turner (perseverant), and maybe that tiny little beaded purse (prepared). It’s a visually engaging way for them to show you they understand the deeper parts of a character, and it’s a lot of fun for them to create.
