Understanding Characters in Stories
Understanding Characters in Stories Objective: Students will be able to describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the main characters in a story.
- Describe the actions of characters and how these actions affect events.
- Retell the sequence of events focusing on character actions.
Materials Needed
- A copy of a short story appropriate for 3rd grade (e.g., ‘Frog and Toad Are Friends’ by Arnold Lobel)
- Paper and crayons or markers
- Character chart worksheet (simple table with spaces for character traits and actions)
Key Vocabulary
- Character
- A person, animal, or figure in a story.
- Sequence
- The order in which events happen.
- Actions
- What characters do in the story.
Detailed Activities
Read and Discuss
- Read the chosen short story aloud to the student.
- Pause to talk about the main characters, asking questions about who they are.
- Discuss what each character does and how those actions change what happens next.
Character Chart
- Help the student fill out the character chart worksheet, listing characters and their actions.
- Encourage the student to draw a picture of their favorite character.
- Talk together about how the character’s actions helped move the story along.
Retelling the Story
- Ask the student to retell the story in their own words focusing on what the characters did.
- Prompt the student to explain how the characters’ actions caused events to happen.
- Praise the student for their efforts and clarify any confusing parts.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- This lesson focuses on helping your child understand characters and their role in stories, which is a key skill in reading comprehension.
- Encourage your child by asking open-ended questions and praising their observations.
- Keep reading sessions short and engaging, and use plenty of visuals like pictures or drawings to support understanding.
Assessment Questions
- Who are the main characters in the story?
- What did one of the characters do that was important?
- How did the character’s action change what happened next?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child write a short story about a character and the actions they take.
- Create a puppet show or act out the story to reinforce understanding of character actions.
- Read another story and compare the characters and their actions to those in the first story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use simple language and relate actions to your child’s own experiences. Drawing pictures or acting out scenes can also help make the ideas clearer.
Try to incorporate character discussions into your reading time several times a week to build confidence and understanding.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Thinking characters do not influence the story events.
- Confusing character traits with actions.
- Struggling to sequence events based on character actions.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use simpler stories with clear and repeated character actions.
- Provide more one-on-one support and use physical props or drawings.
- Break tasks into smaller steps and check understanding frequently.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage them to think about why characters acted a certain way.
- Ask them to predict what might happen next based on character traits.
- Have them compare multiple characters and their influences on different stories.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes reading and discussing the story.
- Use 15 minutes for the character chart activity with drawing and talking.
- Reserve 15 minutes for retelling the story and reinforcing key concepts.
Standards
- 3.RL.3 — Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Printable Worksheet
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