Internal and external character traits
I can describe both internal and external character traits, motivations, and fee
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General
In this lesson, students will learn how to describe characters' internal and external traits in stories. For internal traits, they will infer or predict them through a character's thoughts, feelings, actions, and dialogue. For external traits, students will observe a character's physical appearance. They will read several short passages and describe the characters' internal and external traits while justifying their choices.
Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3
Learning objective
Students will be able to describe both internal and external character traits, motivations, and feelings in a story.
Introduction
Students will discuss the meaning of traits and feelings. They will also read two examples of direct characterization. They will see how to notice how authors show indirect characterization with words, appearance, other characters' comments and reactions, actions, and thoughts and feelings.
Instruction
They will be introduced to external and internal character traits. External character traits include physical traits, traits seen on the outside. Internal character traits include personality traits, characteristics on the inside that can be inferred through thoughts, feelings, actions, and dialogue.
Next, they will look at examples of different internal and external traits. The class will think of an internal trait to describe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and provide reasoning for their choice. They will then read a paragraph about a character named Amy and write down three character traits describing her.
They will read a list of emotions and try to think of more emotions to add to the list. They will also consider the feelings that Martin Luther King, Jr. may have experienced and justify their answer. Students will then read a paragraph about a character named Carl and think of three traits to describe him.
Students will then watch a read-aloud video of The Tortoise and the Hare and answer questions about the characters' traits. They will link prove their choices by linking evidence from the text.
Quiz
Students are given ten questions. They are asked to read two different passages and answer questions about the characters' traits. They will also answer general questions about character traits and emotions.
Closing
Have students recall what they learned about character traits. They will close out the lesson with a final paragraph about a character named Tori.
Read our blog post to learn more about reading comprehension exercises!
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