| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Reading |
| What topic | |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 3 |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Understanding Character Traits
Grade 3
Reading
30 minutes
20 students
Aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Character Traits | 5 minutes | Introduce the topic of character traits. Discuss what traits are and provide examples. |
| 2 | Read Aloud | 10 minutes | Read a selected story aloud to the class. Pause to ask questions about the characters. |
| 3 | Distribute Character Cards | 5 minutes | Hand out printable character trait cards to each student. Explain how to fill them out. |
| 4 | Character Trait Activity | 5 minutes | Students fill out their cards, identifying traits of the main characters based on the story. |
| 5 | Random Check of Character Cards | 3 minutes | Collect or randomly check the filled character trait cards to ensure understanding. |
| 6 | Group Discussion | 2 minutes | Facilitate a class discussion about the traits identified and how they affect the characters' actions. |
Students will write a short paragraph describing a character from their favorite book, including two character traits and evidence from the text. Collect written paragraphs the next class without student presentations.
"Good morning, class! Today, we are going to dive into the exciting world of character traits. Can anyone tell me what a character trait is?"
[Pause for student responses.]
"Great answers! Character traits are words that describe a person’s qualities or characteristics. For example, some traits are brave, kind, funny, or even selfish. Today, we'll learn how to identify and describe the character traits of the main characters in a story. Let's get started!"
"Now, I am going to read a story aloud to you all. As I read, I want you to pay close attention to the main characters and think about their actions and feelings. You might even want to jot down any traits you notice."
[Read the selected story aloud for ten minutes, pausing as needed to ask questions.]
"Let's pause for a moment. Who can tell me a character's name and a trait that describes them?"
[Allow time for students to respond.]
"Excellent observations! Keep thinking about how these traits may influence what the characters do in the story."
"Now, it’s time for you to become character detectives! I’m going to hand out these character trait cards."
[Distribute the printable character trait cards to each student.]
"On these cards, you'll write down the main character's name, two traits that describe them, and one action that shows this trait. Make sure to really think about what you’ve just heard in the story!"
"Okay, class! Now that you have your cards, it's time to fill them out. You have five minutes. Remember, you should be writing down the character's name, their traits, and an action that shows those traits."
[Give students time to complete their cards. Walk around to assist where needed.]
"Now, I would like to check some of your character trait cards to see what you’ve come up with. I will either collect them or randomly ask a few of you to share. Who feels ready to share their character's traits?"
[Collect or ask for a few cards, checking for understanding.]
"Thank you for sharing! You all are doing such a great job at identifying character traits."
"Before we wrap up today, let's have a brief discussion. Why do you think understanding a character's traits is important? How do these traits affect what they do in the story?"
[Facilitate a discussion based on student responses.]
"Those are wonderful insights! Remember, understanding characters helps us connect with the story on a deeper level."
[End the lesson.]
"Great work today, everyone! For homework, I want you to choose a character from your favorite book and write a short paragraph describing them. Include two character traits and evidence from the text to support your descriptions. We’ll collect these paragraphs in the next class. Thank you, and see you tomorrow!"
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a character trait? | |
| Can you name three examples of character traits? | |
| Why is it important to understand a character's traits in a story? | |
| How do character traits influence a character's actions? | |
| Give an example of a character and a trait that describes them from the story we read. | |
| What are the two traits you identified for your character from the activity? | |
| How does understanding character traits help you connect to a story? | |
| What action did you link to the traits of your character? | |
| Why do you think authors include complex characters with multiple traits? | |
| How can character traits affect a story's plot? |