aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 8
What topic	Character motivation
Quantity	1
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Engaging Lesson Opening: Character Motivation

Introduction

Welcome to our lesson on character motivation! Today, we'll explore what drives characters in stories, helping us understand their choices and actions. To kick things off, let's dive into a creative and interactive activity that will not only warm up our minds but also spark our imaginations!

Activity: "The Motivation Mystery Box"

Objective

Students will collaboratively discover and discuss the motivations of characters by creating a character and their backstory using a mystery box concept.

Materials Needed

• A box (or a bag) filled with various items (e.g., a toy, a photo, an old key, a piece of fabric, a book, etc.)
• Sticky notes and markers
• Large paper or a whiteboard for notes

Steps to Follow

1. Mystery Box Reveal: Begin the lesson by introducing the "Motivation Mystery Box." Explain that inside the box are various objects that can inspire the creation of a character.

2. Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students). Each group will take turns selecting one object from the box.

3. Character Creation: After selecting an object, each group will brainstorm a character who might be associated with that item. They should consider questions such as:

   • What is the character’s name?
   • What motivates this character?
   • What challenges do they face?
   • How does the object relate to their story?

4. Sticky Note Brainstorming: Give groups 10 minutes to discuss and write down their character's motivations and backstory on sticky notes. Encourage creative thinking and explanation of how their item influences their character's desires or goals.

5. Presentation: Once the time is up, each group will present their character to the class. They should share:

   • The selected item
   • Their character’s name
   • What motivates their character and why
   • An example of a decision the character makes based on their motivations

Transition to Lesson Content

After the presentations, lead a discussion on the various motivations presented by the groups. Highlight how different backgrounds, desires, and conflicts enrich a character's depth and drive their actions in stories.

Wrap-Up

Conclude the lesson by explaining that understanding character motivations is key to both writing and analyzing literature. Today, you got a taste of what makes characters tick, and throughout our unit, we’ll be digging even deeper into how these motivations shape narratives!

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By starting the lesson with an engaging activity, students will not only be excited but also have a solid foundation for understanding character motivation in literature.