The Hundred Dresses Lesson Plan

• The Hundred Dresses, one copy for each student
• The Hundred Dresses Vocabulary List printable
• Character Trait Fill-In Chart printable
• Venn Diagram printable
  
• Character Evaluation Worksheet: What Would They Do? printable
  
• Optional: The Hundred Dresses Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle printable
  
• Optional: The Hundred Dresses Comprehension Quiz printable

1. Make a class set of copies for each printable. Note: When copying the Character Trait Fill-In Chart printable, create a double-sided copy with a blank map on both sides.
2. Create a Venn diagram on chart paper to compare two characters or set up the Venn Diagram printable on a SMARTboard or projector.
3. Prepare a sample Venn diagram by comparing two characters from another book that the students are familiar with.

Before Reading

Step 1: Have students make predictions about the book based on the cover and title.

Step 2: Discuss with students ways that they are different from one another. Also discuss the positive and negative aspects about being different.

Step 3: Distribute and review The Hundred Dresses Vocabulary List printable. Students can refer to the list as they read the book.

During Reading

Step 1: Review with students the meaning of character traits. If the class doesn’t already have a list of common character traits, make one before students complete this activity. Discuss how a character’s actions, words, feelings, and thoughts determine their character.

Step 2: Distribute the double-sided, blank Character Trait Fill-In Chart printable to students. There should be a blank chart on each side of the paper. As students read The Hundred Dresses, they should fill in the two charts, one for each character. Have the students leave the boxes labeled “character traits” empty until after the story is finished.

Step 3: After finishing the story, have students reread their Character Trait Fill-In Charts, and use the information about their characters to infer traits to describe them. They may use the common character traits list made before reading the story for help.

After Reading

Step 1: Once students are finished reading the story and have completed a Character Trait Fill-In Chart for two characters in the story, they will compare and contrast the characters. Model a character comparison map for the students by showing them the sample Venn diagram comparing two characters from the Set Up directions.

Step 2: Have students use the information they collected about the characters from The Hundred Dresses to create their own character comparison map using the Venn Diagram printable.

Step 3: Once students have successfully compared the two characters, they are going to use that information to determine how each of those characters would react to a certain situation. Explain to students that people respond to situations differently depending on their character and beliefs.

Step 4: Read aloud the example situation on the printable Character Evaluation Worksheet: What Would They Do?. Explain to students that they are going to write how they think their two characters would respond to the situation based on their character traits and the character comparison charts.

Step 5: Have students share their responses when finished.

• Have students write a sequel to The Hundred Dresses. They can think about Wanda’s life in the new city. Is it different from living in Boggin Heights? Do the children tease her there? Does Wanda want to return to her old home and be friends with Maddie and Peggy?
• Reader's Theater is a great way for students to practice reading fluently. Break the class into small groups of 3–5 children. Give each group an important scene or event from the story to create into a Readers Theater script. Students can then perform their scripts for students in the school or other grade level classes.
• Have students complete The Hundred Dresses Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle printable after reviewing The Hundred Dresses Vocabulary Words printable or reading the book.
• After students have finished The Hundred Dresses, have them complete The Hundred Dresses Comprehension Quiz printable.

Students must complete the Character Evaluation Worksheet: What Would They Do? printable.

• Question students and listen to their responses while reading the book.
• Evaluate the Character Trait Fill-In Chart printable, character comparison on the Venn Diagram printable, and students’ responses to the Character Evaluation Worksheet: What Would They Do? printable.