I started Science Concept Characters back in 2009 and they were such a hit that I kept the activity ready to go for any time I needed something extra. Students can pick a science word/concept, or you can assign a science word/concept to each student.

Students will create a character for a science word or concept by personifying the details, characteristics, properties, action, behaviors, and look of that science concept.

For example, a part of the human immune system may look and act like a super hero based on how it acts in the body.

The word ‘motion’ might look like a character that travels from place to place. Their story might tell about how their bags are packed at any time because they are always on the move. The drawing could have a suitcase in the hands of that character.

This is a fun activity for students to think creatively about a math or science topic/ term while showing you what they know. I love that this is open ended so students can pull from everything they have learned and show you what they took from it. This makes a great formative assessment or a summative assessment for any grade level.

This can be used in place of a unit test. Give students a list of science/math terms from the unit, and let them choose which one to write about. Or, you can pick one term to assign students for this activity.

Check for understanding in a fun way!

This is also a great connection to ELAR with personification. Talk about, and give examples of, personification before starting this activity to help students understand what to do.

The math and science versions of this activity include their own rubrics to guide student responses.

This includes one Math template with a rubric, one science template with a rubric, a link to the digital math version, and a link to the digital science version.

Judge student work based on age, ability, and what has been taught.

Links to the No Prep Digital versions included in PDF!

Send students the link or assign in a secure learning platform.

Give instructions on adding drawings based on your student age and ability. They can add clipart or a picture of something they draw on paper. Some learning platforms have drawing features they can use.

This works well with elementary and can be great in middle school, too!

Ideas for this activity:

Vocabulary or Word Wall Activity

Formative Assessment within a lesson

Summative Assessment after a unit – given in place of a unit test

Interactive Science Notebook Activity

Interactive Math Notebook Activity

Math Journals

Science Journals

Early Finishers

Sub Plans

Bulletin Board Activity

Centers

I love to pair this with Basher Books for a quick read aloud before we work. it will give amazing examples for this activity.

With so many possibilities, I just keep these handy to pull out any time I need them!

I hope this helps give you a fun new activity to use in your classroom!

Happy Teaching, Teacher Friend!