An Open Mind Activity is a fantastic way to get your students to get inside the head of a character in a reading story. Students need to first decide which character they will peer into the mind of. They then must draw: 1) Three pictures that represent or symbolize the character. 2) Four keywords brainstormed around each picture to explain the characters personlaity or state of mind.(e.x. In the picture of Dorian Gray the chief villian is a murderer with personality complex. For his brutal side, kids drew a knife dripping with blood as one of their pictures with brainstormed keywords, such as death, murder, jealousy and lust). 3) Two (or more) quotes taken from the story that show the character’s attitude and actions. Each example must be at least two sentences in length and exactly the same as in the book. 4) 3 or more sentences at the bottom of the page to explain why the student´s reasoning for their work (i.e. pictures, brainstorms and quotes). I´ve found the Open Mind Activity to take around one and a half lessons. One lesson to explain and correctly and some time for the kids to present their character´s open minds to the class. I usually do this as a paired activity, but it would work quite well as an independant one in an advanced or smart class. This worksheet is also meant to tie in nicely with an excellent accompanying PowerPoint on the following website by Mr. Jeffrey at Los Osos High School: www.mrjeffrey.com/Reading20Responses/Reading20Response-Open20Mind20Diagram.ppt from which this worksheet was inspired. The PowerPoint also contains marking criteria, and a step by step guide on how to make an Open Mind plan for your Reading class. Enjoy!

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