LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Planning story characters using interactive trading cards

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=932

A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts

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Using an online character trading cards tool, students explore the author’s use of characterization. After activating students’ prior knowledge about character development, the teacher introduces students to the topic using trading cards. Following an examination and discussion of the information on sample trading cards, the teacher explains that students will be creating their own trading cards using a character from a book with which they are familiar. Once the teacher demonstrates the online trading cards tool and models how students can make their own cards, the teacher leads students in a read aloud of a story and reviews the setting and appearance and personality of the character. The teacher then models for students how to use the trading card to plan a character. Students then work in pairs to talk through their story and character ideas and begin planning their trading cards. Then, students create their trading cards, and the teacher demonstrates how students will work together to provide feedback on their classmates’ work. The activity culminates in a discussion about how trading cards affected their understanding of character development. Readwritethink provides links to related web resources, an online interactive trading cards tool, and graphic organizers for planning the assignment. This lesson also provides extension activities and opportunities for student reflection.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
      • author's purpose.
      • plot.
      • conflict.
      • sequence.
      • resolution.
      • lesson and/or message.
      • main idea and supporting details.
      • cause and effect.
      • fact and opinion.
      • point of view (author and character).
      • author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
      • considering the differences among genres.
      • relating plot, setting, and characters to own experiences and ideas.
      • considering main character's point of view.
      • participating in creative interpretations.
      • making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters and events.
      • reflecting on learning, gaining new insights, and identifying areas for further study.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Use planning strategies (with assistance) to generate topics and to organize ideas (e.g., drawing, mapping, discussing, listing).

Grade 4

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
      • plot.
      • theme.
      • main idea and supporting details.
      • author's choice of words.
      • mood.
      • author's use of figurative language.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
      • analyzing the impact of authors' word choice and context.
      • examining the reasons for characters' actions.
      • identifying and examining characters' motives.
      • considering a situation or problem from different characters' points of view.
      • analyzing differences among genres.
      • making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters, events and themes.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.05: Use planning strategies to generate topics and organize ideas (e.g., brainstorming, mapping, webbing, reading, discussion).

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
      • plot development.
      • author's choice of words.
      • effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
      • tone.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
      • analyzing word choice and content.
      • examining reasons for a character's actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
      • creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
      • examining alternative perspectives.
      • evaluating the differences among genres.
      • examining relationships among characters.
      • making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events and themes.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.05: Use a variety of preliminary strategies to plan and organize the writing and speaking task considering purpose, audience, and timeline.