| 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 | English |
| What topic | Character archetypes |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 8 |
| Class size | 25 |
| What curriculum | Florida B.E.S.T standards |
| 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 | 10 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Character Archetypes
Year/Grade 8
English
25 students
Florida B.E.S.T Standards for English Language Arts
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Archetypes | 5 | Briefly introduce what character archetypes are and provide examples. |
| 2 | Check Homework | 5 | Review the assigned homework without asking students to present. Check understanding verbally. |
| 3 | Group Activity | 10 | Divide students into groups. Each group identifies archetypes in a provided excerpt and discusses their roles. |
| 4 | Printable Cards Distribution | 3 | Hand out the printable cards for students to fill out with their identified archetypes. |
| 5 | Class Discussion | 5 | Facilitate a brief class discussion on findings from the group activity and cards. |
| 6 | Collect and Review Cards | 2 | Collect or randomly check the cards filled by students to assess comprehension. |
| 7 | Assign Homework | 5 | Inform students of their homework assignment related to character archetypes. |
"Good morning, class! Today, we're going to explore an exciting topic in literature: character archetypes. So, what exactly are character archetypes? They are universal symbols or types of characters that are commonly found in stories across different cultures and times. For instance, think about the Hero, the Mentor, or the Villain. Can anyone give me an example of a Hero from a story you know?" [Pause for student responses.]
"Great examples! Understanding these archetypes will help us appreciate how authors build their characters and convey themes."
"Now, let’s briefly check your homework. I’d like you to take a moment to think about the readings we did last week. Who can tell me one character and the archetype you associated with them? Remember, we are not going to present but just discuss your thoughts as we check for understanding." [Encourage a few students to share and acknowledge their input.]
"Next, we will move into a group activity. I’m going to divide you into groups of five. Each group will receive an excerpt from a piece of literature. I want you to read through it and identify any character archetypes you find. Discuss with your group members how these archetypes contribute to the story. You have 10 minutes for this activity, so make sure to dive deep into the text and share your ideas!" [Distribute excerpts and monitor the groups as they work.]
"Now that you've had a chance to discuss in your groups, I have printable cards for you. On these cards, I want you to write down the archetypes you've identified from your excerpt, along with a brief description of the role each character plays in the story. You have 3 minutes to fill these out, so make it concise and clear!" [Distribute the printable cards.]
"Let’s come back together as a class to discuss what you found. Can each group share one character archetype and its role in the story you analyzed? I’ll start with group one! What do you have for us?" [Facilitate the discussion by guiding each group to share their findings, and encourage other students to ask follow-up questions.]
"Thank you for sharing your insights! Now, I would like to collect your printable cards. I’ll quickly review them to see how well you understood the concept of character archetypes. You can hand them in as you leave or pass them to the front." [Collect the cards and conduct a quick assessment.]
"For your homework, I’d like you to choose a character from a book or movie you enjoy. Write a short paragraph explaining their archetype and how it influences the story. Make sure to include examples from the text or film to support your ideas. This will help reinforce what we’ve learned about character archetypes. You’ll have until our next class to complete this assignment. Any questions before we end?" [Address any questions and conclude the lesson.]
"Great job today, everyone! I'm looking forward to seeing your homework next time. Have a wonderful day!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A classroom with students} | - Introduction to character archetypes |
| - Universal symbols in literature | ||
| - Examples: Hero, Mentor, Villain | ||
| 2 | {Image: A checklist or homework} | - Homework check |
| - Discuss characters and their archetypes | ||
| - Encourage sharing thoughts | ||
| 3 | {Image: Students in groups} | - Group activity introduction |
| - Identify character archetypes in literature excerpts | ||
| - Discuss contributions to the story | ||
| 4 | {Image: Printable cards} | - Distribution of printable cards |
| - Write down identified archetypes | ||
| - Include brief character role descriptions | ||
| 5 | {Image: Class discussion setting} | - Class discussion recap |
| - Share findings from group activity | ||
| - Encourage follow-up questions | ||
| 6 | {Image: Teacher collecting papers} | - Collect and review printable cards |
| - Assess understanding of character archetypes | ||
| 7 | {Image: Homework assignment} | - Assign homework |
| - Choose a character and explain their archetype | ||
| - Use examples from text/film | ||
| 8 | {Image: Students writing} | - Reminder for students to complete homework |
| - Reinforce learning about character archetypes | ||
| 9 | {Image: A calendar marking next class} | - Homework deadline reminder |
| - Prepare for next lesson | ||
| 10 | {Image: A teacher thanking students} | - Concluding remarks |
| - Acknowledge participation and enthusiasm | ||
| - Wish students a wonderful day |
Define what a character archetype is. Provide at least two examples of archetypes and explain their significance in storytelling.
Recall one character from your favorite book or movie. Identify their archetype and discuss how this archetype shapes their role in the story.
Can you think of a story where the Hero archetype plays a significant role? Describe the character and the journey they undertake, citing specific instances from the narrative.
How does a Mentor archetype contribute to a Hero’s journey in a story? Provide an example from a book or movie to illustrate your point.
Discuss the impact of the Villain archetype on the plot of a story. Choose a specific character from a film or literature and explain how their actions drive the story forward.
Identify another common archetype (e.g., the Shadow, the Trickster, the Damsel) from a story you know. What role does this archetype play in the development of the plot or other characters?
Reflect on the group activity we did in class. What was one key takeaway you learned about character archetypes from your group's discussion?
Think of a story that subverts traditional character archetypes. How does this affect your understanding of the characters and the overall narrative?
A character archetype is a universal symbol or type of character commonly found across stories. Examples include the Hero, who embarks on a journey or quest, and the Mentor, who provides guidance and support.
(Student's choice; expect identification of a character and explanation of their archetype and its influence on the story.)
(Student’s choice; expect a description of a Hero character and examples of their journey.)
The Mentor helps guide the Hero, offering wisdom, skills, and support. An example could be Obi-Wan Kenobi from "Star Wars."
The Villain serves as an antagonist, creating conflict and challenge for the protagonist. Examples may include Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" series, whose actions impede Harry’s journey.
(Student's choice; expect identification of an archetype and discussion of their role in the story.)
(Varied responses; look for individual reflections based on group discussions.)
(Student's choice; expect analysis of how subverting archetypes affects character and narrative.)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are character archetypes? | |
| Can you name a character archetype that you know? | |
| How do character archetypes help us understand a story? | |
| Who can give an example of a Hero from a story? | |
| What specific archetype did you associate with the character you discussed in your homework? | |
| How do the archetypes in your group's excerpt contribute to the overall story? | |
| What is one character archetype and its role from the literature excerpt you analyzed? | |
| How does the character archetype you studied influence the motivations of that character? | |
| Which archetypes were most prevalent in the excerpts you analyzed? | |
| What are some examples of the Mentor archetype in stories you know? | |
| Can you think of a Villain archetype and explain their role in a story? | |
| Why is it important to identify character archetypes in literature? | |
| What impact do character archetypes have on the themes of a story? | |
| How can understanding archetypes enhance our reading experience? |
Can you think of a character archetype from a movie or book that surprised you? Why did it stand out to you?
How do you think the presence of a Mentor archetype can change the journey of a Hero in a story?
If you could create a new archetype for a character, what would it be and what role would they play in a story?
Choose a character from your favorite story; how would the story change if they were portrayed as a Villain instead of a Hero?
What is one archetype you think is often overused in stories? Why do you think that is?