Lesson Plan: Character and Setting
Grade Level: 2
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Reading
Objectives
- Identify the main characters in a story.
- Describe the setting of a story including time and place.
- Understand how characters and settings contribute to a story.
Materials Needed
- A selection of picture books (e.g., "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr.)
- Chart paper and markers
- Character and Setting graphic organizers
- Crayons or colored pencils
Introduction (5 minutes)
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Engage the Students:
- Begin with a question: "What makes a story interesting?"
- Allow a few students to share their thoughts.
- Explain that today we'll explore two important parts of a story—characters and settings.
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Define Key Terms:
- Characters: The people, animals, or creatures in a story.
- Setting: The time and place where the story happens.
Direct Instruction (10 minutes)
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Reading Aloud:
- Choose a picture book and read the first few pages out loud.
- As you read, pause to discuss the characters and setting.
- Example: In "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," ask, "Who is the main character?"
- Discuss the setting: "Where does the story take place?"
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Visual Aid:
- Use chart paper to create a T-chart with two headings: "Characters" and "Setting."
- Fill in the chart with the names of characters and descriptions of the setting as you read.
Guided Practice (10 minutes)
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Group Activity:
- Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a different picture book.
- Ask each group to identify the main characters and the setting in their book.
- Give them 5 minutes to discuss and write down their ideas on the Character and Setting graphic organizer.
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Share Findings:
- Have each group share their findings with the class.
- Encourage them to say:
- "In our book, the main character is [Name], and the setting is [Describe]."
Independent Practice (5 minutes)
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Individual Task:
- Ask each student to choose their favorite book (or one they are currently reading) and fill out a Character and Setting graphic organizer independently.
- They should write the name of the main character, describe them, and write a few sentences about the setting.
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Illustration:
- Encourage students to draw a picture of their character or a favorite part of the setting.
Closure (5 minutes)
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Review Key Concepts:
- Recap the definitions of characters and settings.
- Ask a few students to share what they wrote about their books.
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Exit Ticket:
- On a small piece of paper, have students write down one new thing they learned about characters or settings and turn it in as they leave.
Assessment
- Monitor group discussions for understanding during guided practice.
- Review the graphic organizers for accuracy and completeness.
- Evaluate exit tickets to gauge retention of concepts discussed in class.
Extensions
- For students who finish early, provide additional picture books or a worksheet with illustrations of different settings and characters to match.
Differentiation
- Provide sentence starters for students who may struggle with writing.
- Pair stronger readers with those who need more support during group activities.
With this lesson plan, students will actively engage in identifying and discussing characters and settings, making their reading experiences deeper and more meaningful!